Dublin,Ireland Jan 2-A tragic series of shootings in southern Montenegro left 12 people dead, including two children, on New Year’s Day following what has been termed as a ‘family dispute rage’.
The Montenegro government has declared three days of national mourning starting Thursday.
A 45-year-old Aco Martinovic is said to have gotten into an altercation with another guest at a restaurant in the Cetinje area, around 17:30 (16:30 GMT). He was highly intoxicated during the incident, eyewitnesses said.
After the argument, he returned home, fetched his firearm, and came back to the restaurant.
It was at this point that he opened fire killing several people including members of his own family. He also killed the restaurant owner and his two children, aged 10 and 13.
Authorities say the gunman drove to other locations targeting other victims with a total of 12 people dead following the unfortunate incident.
Four people who were fatally wounded in the shootings are currently receiving medical attention with one of them in critical condition.
Police Officers got wind of the incident and commenced the search on him. When the authorities caught up with him he inflicted serious injuries on himself as he attempted suicide and succumbed on his way to hospital.
Prime Minister Milojko Spajic termed the tragedy as unfortunate calling on the National Security Council session, we will urgently consider all options, including a complete ban on the possession of weapons.
“The news from the Royal Capital has shrouded our country in black. This senseless act has caused immeasurable sadness and bitterness in each of us. There are no words of comfort,” he said
“Therefore, I will ask the newly appointed leaders of the security sector to offer solutions that will ensure the safety of our citizens starting tomorrow. A public call for the urgent recruitment of additional police officers will be issued on the first working day, without waiting for the opinion of the EC and the Council of Europe, and we will explain the urgency later,” he added.
