Who is Aleksandar Aco Martinovic, Montenegro Rampage suspect?

Cetinje, Montenegro experienced a mass shooting that claimed 12 lives and injured four others. The suspect, Aleksandar "Aco" Martinovic, 45, died from self-inflicted wounds while being transported to the hospital, according to Interior Minister Danilo Saranovic.

Prosecutor Andrijana Nastic confirmed that Martinovic killed his victims across five locations in Cetinje, including his family members. He shot four people at the first two locations, two children at a third site, and others at two additional locations. Martinovic turned his gun on himself at the sixth site.

The rampage left four hospitalised, three in life-threatening but stable conditions. A fourth victim underwent surgery and remains in critical care.

Who is Aleksandar Aco Martinovic?

Martinovic, a 45-year-old Cetinje resident with a history of illegal weapons possession, had been heavily drinking before the attack. The violence began following a confrontation at a restaurant, where Martinovic returned with a weapon and opened fire. His victims were reportedly close acquaintances, including family members and friends.

This wasn’t Cetinje’s first mass shooting. In August 2022, another gunman killed 10 people before being shot dead, adding to the town’s tragic history.

Montenegrin Prime Minister Milojko Spajic called the event a “terrible tragedy” and declared three days of national mourning. The government convened a National Security Council to discuss measures, including stricter gun laws and recruiting more police officers, to address illegal firearms.

Despite existing regulations, Montenegro, like much of the Western Balkans, struggles with a deep gun culture and high prevalence of leftover weapons from regional conflicts. Cetinje’s public reaction has been one of fear and grief, with many expressing shock and sorrow over the violence.

This rampage has reignited debates about tighter gun control in the region, though resistance remains due to cultural attitudes toward gun ownership. As the investigation continues, authorities are focused on understanding Martinovic’s motives and preventing similar incidents.

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