Gunman kills 12, including children, after café brawl in Montenegro

Jan 2, 2025 - A man shot dead 12 people, including two children, and seriously injured four others after a café brawl escalated into a deadly attack in a small Montenegrin town.

The attacker, identified as 45-year-old Aco Martinović, opened fire in Cetinje, about 30 kilometres from the capital Podgorica, on Wednesday evening, police said.

Martinović had been drinking in the café all day before becoming involved in an argument. He later returned home, retrieved a firearm, and began shooting at around 5:30 p.m., according to Police Commissioner Lazar Šćepanović.

Among the dead are the café owner, the owner’s children, and other family members, Interior Minister Danilo Šaranović confirmed.

Attacker dies after suicide attempt

Authorities launched a manhunt for the gunman, deploying special police units to Cetinje. Hours later, officials confirmed that Martinović had died from injuries sustained in a failed suicide attempt.

Minister Šaranović described the attacker as “extremely dangerous,” saying:

“The level of brutality shows that individuals like this can be even more dangerous than organised criminals.”

The suspect was reportedly known to police, with a history of violent behaviour. He had received a suspended sentence in 2005 and was appealing a conviction for illegal firearm possession.

Montenegro’s gun culture under scrutiny

The attack has reignited debate over Montenegro’s gun culture. The small country of 620,000 people has one of the highest rates of firearm ownership in Europe, with many residents traditionally keeping guns.

This is the second mass shooting in Cetinje in recent years. In August 2022, a gunman killed 10 people, including two children, before being shot dead by a passer-by.

‘A horrific tragedy’

The killings have prompted shock and grief across Montenegro. President Jakov Milatović expressed his condolences, writing on the social media platform X:

“Instead of festive joy… we are overcome with sorrow for the loss of innocent lives.”

Prime Minister Milojko Spajić visited the injured in hospital and declared three days of national mourning.

“This is a horrific tragedy that has affected us all,” he said.