Restaurant Massacre: Aco Martinović’s Shooting Spree Leaves 10 Dead in Cetinje
PODGORICA, Montenegro — A devastating mass shooting in the historic town of Cetinje has left 10 people dead, including two children, and four others injured. Aco Martinović, a 45-year-old man with a history of violence and illegal weapons possession, transformed what should have been a peaceful New Year’s Day into a nightmare. This tragedy isn’t just about one man’s actions—it’s a glaring indictment of systemic failures.
The Grim Details
On January 1, 2025, Martinović left a bar after a heated altercation, returned home to retrieve a firearm, and unleashed terror. He first targeted the bar, killing four people, before moving to three other locations. Among his victims were two children, ages 10 and 13, the bar owner’s children, along with a family member and three others.
This wasn’t a random act of violence; it was a deliberate and calculated massacre. And it occurred in a country that touts its strict gun laws. Clearly, something went disastrously wrong.
Police Response: Too Little, Too Late
Authorities responded by deploying special forces and blocking roads, but their actions came too late to prevent the bloodshed. Martinović, a known criminal with a violent past and a record of illegal firearm possession, should never have been free to roam.
The police eventually cornered him, but not before 10 lives were lost. When ordered to surrender, Martinović took his own life, shooting himself in the head.
This wasn’t just a failure of law enforcement—it was a systemic breakdown. Martinović had a suspended sentence for violent behavior and was appealing a conviction for illegal firearm possession. Yet, he remained armed and dangerous. How many more lives will it take for Montenegro to confront its gun problem?
Political Reactions: Empty Words, Hollow Promises
President Jakov Milatović described the event as a “dark day” and expressed “profound sadness.” Prime Minister Milojko Spajić declared three days of national mourning and pledged to consider stricter gun laws.
But consider? Why not act? This is the second mass shooting in Cetinje in three years. How many more tragedies are needed before Montenegro’s leaders take decisive action?
A Culture of Guns and Inaction
Montenegro’s gun culture, fueled by thousands of weapons left over from the Yugoslav Wars, is deeply entrenched. Despite ostensibly strict laws, illegal firearms are rampant, and the government’s failure to address this issue is glaring.
The Western Balkans remain a hotbed of unregistered weapons, with Montenegro being no exception. While the EU has pressured the country to strengthen its gun laws, progress has been frustratingly slow. Bureaucratic inertia and political apathy have turned this crisis into a recurring nightmare.
A Town in Mourning
Cetinje, a close-knit community, is shattered. The loss of two children has left the town in profound grief. “It’s hard to comprehend what happened here,” said one resident.
While vigils and prayers are planned, they offer little solace. The community needs justice, and the country needs real action.