School shooter carries out premeditated attack, killing eight students and one security guard

A 13-year-old boy carried out a premeditated shooting at a Belgrade school on Wednesday, killing eight students and a security guard. This horrific event has prompted Serbia’s president to announce more stringent restrictions on gun ownership.

The young attacker used two handguns belonging to his father to perpetrate the shooting. He first targeted the security guard and three girls in a hallway before entering a history class and shooting the teacher and other students. Six students and the teacher were hospitalized, some with critical injuries.

Veselin Milic, head of Belgrade police, revealed that the assailant had carefully planned the attack, carrying two guns, two petrol bombs, and a list of intended victims. Serbia has experienced several mass shootings in the past decade, and the incident has led to increased scrutiny of gun ownership in the country.

In response to the tragedy, President Aleksandar Vucic declared three days of national mourning and announced a moratorium on new gun licenses, except for hunting. He also insisred on a review of existing permits and increased surveillance of shooting ranges and civilian weapon storage.

The shooter, who is below Serbia’s age of criminal responsibility, surrendered to the police and will be placed in a psychiatric institution. His parents have been arrested.

Interior Minister Bratislav Gasic confirmed that the suspect’s father had legally owned the guns used in the attack.

The shooting took place at Vladislav Ribnikar Elementary School in Vracar, a central Belgrade district. A 14-year-old student, Evgenija, described the suspected shooter as quiet and well-behaved, expressing shock at his actions.