Protesters gathered outside the Interior Ministry in the capital, Podgorica, chanting “Resignations” and “Killers,” demanding that Interior Minister Danilo and the Deputy Prime Minister for Security and Defense step down. Milo, a member of a student-led group that helped organize the protest, told the crowd that innocent lives were lost under their watch, adding, “You failed to protect us, so resign!”
Earlier in the day, hundreds of people held a 12-minute silence in the historic town of Cetinje, where the shooting took place, to honor the victims. This was the second mass shooting in Cetinje in less than three years, leading many residents to believe that police mishandled the situation and did not do enough to improve security following the first massacre in August 2022.
The recent shooting stemmed from a fight at a bar. A 45-year-old local man returned to the bar with a gun, killing four people there and eight others at various locations before taking his own life. The incident raised concerns about violence in Montenegrin society and the readiness of authorities to address security issues, including the regulation of firearms.
Although police stated that the shooting was unpredictable, it was revealed that the shooter, identified as Martinović, had a history of violent behavior and illegal weapon possession. The victims were mostly friends and family members of the gunman.
In response to the tragedy, Montenegrin authorities announced strict new gun laws and other measures to address the widespread presence of illegal weapons in the country. On Sunday, police conducted raids across the country, seizing 20 weapons, over 500 rounds of ammunition, and explosives.
Protesters in both Cetinje and Podgorica also called for “demilitarization” of the population, including the destruction of illegal weapons, high taxes on gun ownership, and a halt to new gun licenses while existing ones are reviewed under stricter criteria.
The first mass shooting in Cetinje in 2022 also claimed 10 lives, including two children, before the attacker was shot and killed by a passerby. Maja, one of the protest organizers in Cetinje, expressed frustration, saying, “We came here looking for answers. Why did a massacre happen again in Cetinje? Why is no one held accountable? Why is it so hard for them to resign?”
