At least 12 shot dead in Montenegro as attacker dies by suicide

At least 12 people, including two children, were killed and four others were seriously injured in a shooting rampage in Montenegro on Wednesday.

The attacker, 45-year-old Aco Martinovic, has also died by suicide, Interior Minister Danilo Saranovic told the country's state broadcaster, RTCG.

Martinovic had been at a bar in the city of Cetinje throughout the day before a fight broke out. He then went home, brought back a weapon and opened fire at around 5.30 pm local time.

Police Commissioner Lazar Scepanovic originally confirmed four people - including the bar owner and his children - were killed before the shooter moved on to three other locations and shot seven others dead.

Four more people suffered life-threatening injuries.

The death toll has since risen from 10 to 12 people, but the new deaths have not yet been attributed to the injured.

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Scepanovic said the suspect received a suspended sentence in 2005 for violent behavior and has appealed his latest conviction for illegal possession of weapons.

Montenegro is known for its gun culture and many people traditionally have weapons.

President Jakov Milatovic said he was “shocked and stunned” by the tragedy. “Instead of holiday joy... we have been gripped by sadness over the loss of innocent lives,” Milatovic said on the social media platform X.

Prime Minister Milojko Spajic went to the hospital where the wounded were being treated and announced three days of mourning. “This is a terrible tragedy that has affected us all,” he said.

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