Residents of Cetinje, Montenegro, woke up on January 2 to grim reminders of the tragic shooting rampage the day before, where 12 individuals lost their lives, including two children. Obituaries for the victims were plastered across walls and posts around the town, capturing the grief of the community and the shocking nature of the violence.
The massacre, carried out by 45-year-old Aco Martinović, unfolded over approximately 30 chaotic minutes. Following what began as a convivial gathering at a local bar, tensions escalated after Martinović got embroiled in an argument. He left the bar only to return armed and started shooting, killing four people immediately before spreading terror across multiple locations, which resulted in eight more fatalities, including his sister and two young boys aged 12 and 13. The rapid succession of these events struck the small town of around 16,000 inhabitants with disbelief.
With the shooting leading to public outcry, about a thousand residents protested outside the Montenegrin government building, demanding accountability from security officials. Demonstrators displayed placards stating, "Your hands are bloody," and chants of "Murderers, come out" echoed during the National Security Council meeting inside the building. The protesters expressed their fury over insufficient police presence, as it was revealed there were only nine officers available during the time of the attacks.
Martinović’s history with the law raised concerns; he had previous convictions for illegal possession of firearms and explosive materials, alongside documented psychiatric issues. Witnesses recounted how the shooting spree not only targeted strangers but also people close to him, raising questions about how someone with his background could access firearms.
After the shooting, news surfaced detailing how Martinović eluded immediate capture after leaving his car behind and allegedly going on the run. His eventual confrontation with law enforcement ended with him taking his own life as authorities surrounded him.
The government of Montenegro expressed its condolences, declaring three days of mourning from January 4, with all New Year celebrations called off. Prime Minister Milojko Spajić condemned the incident, referring to it as "one of the biggest tragedies" in Montenegrin history. He announced plans to implement stricter gun laws, acknowledging the nation’s deeply rooted gun culture and the alarming rate of illegal firearms present among the population. He stated, "We have to ask ourselves who can have weapons in Montenegro... the criteria must be tightened as much as possible."
Spajić proposed urgent actions to confiscate illegal weapons and called for psychological evaluations for registered gun owners. "There will be no mercy for these people," he emphasized, underlining the serious intentions of the government to reform the gun laws. Following the outcry, the Prime Minister confirmed the consideration of complete bans on private firearm possession.
The weekend following the tragedy saw numerous candlelight vigils across Montenegro, where citizens stood collectively to honor the deceased. Vigil attendees voiced their frustration and pain, imploring the government to act decisively to prevent future tragedies of this nature. Mira Škorić, one participant, sentimentally reflected, "I can’t believe we failed so much as a society. We failed as people too." The chants at the protests pointedly addressed the authorities, questioning their presence and capability to protect citizens. Protesters cried, "Where were you on January 1st?" highlighting perceived failures at the time of crisis.
The mass shooting was tragically not the first of its kind for Cetinje; the town witnessed another major incident only 18 months prior when Vuk Borilović killed ten people and injured six more before being shot by an armed passerby. This troubling trend of violence has intensified calls from both citizens and human rights organizations to examine the accountability of security systems and proposed reforms.
Various advocates expressed deep concern over the societal impact of such violent episodes, reflecting on how deeply ingrained gun culture and governance failures have perpetuated cycles of violence. The Human Rights Action group urged for serious examination of the responsibilities of the police and security agencies.
With two protests already planned for the upcoming week to demand justice for the victims and accountability for security leaders, Montenegrins continue to grapple with the emotional aftermath of the shooting. The onus now lies on the government to take substantial steps to address systemic issues and prevent another senseless loss of life.