Thousands demand resignations over inadequate response to mass shooting in Montenegro

On January 1, 2025, a tragic mass shooting occurred in Cetinje, Montenegro, where a local man, 45 years old, opened fire after a bar brawl. The shooting rampage left 12 people dead, including two children, while a wounded man later succumbed to his injuries, raising the death toll to 13. This incident is the second mass shooting in Cetinje in under three years, with previous gun violence raising concerns over public safety. In response, the Montenegrin government is pledging to tighten gun laws and curb illegal weapon possession as protests erupt demanding accountability from security officials. Following the shooting, thousands gathered in protests across Montenegro, expressing outrage and dissatisfaction with the authorities' handling of public safety. Protesters called for the resignation of high-level security officials, including Interior Minister Danilo Šaranović, holding the government responsible for failing to increase security measures between the two mass shootings in the town. Many believe that the police mishandled security concerns and failed to prevent these acts of violence despite the previous incident in August 2022, where a gunman killed 10 people before being shot by a passerby. Montenegro has a significant gun culture, with a report indicating it ranks sixth globally for illegal firearms per capita. Authorities are under pressure for their failure to prevent these incidents, which have heightened fears concerning violence in the politically divided nation of approximately 620,000 residents. Movements are now growing for stricter controls on gun ownership, including a demand for the destruction of illegal weapons, high taxation on gun ownership, and a moratorium on new licenses while current ownership is reassessed. The ongoing protests reveal deep-seated frustrations within the community regarding security and violence. Protest organizers have called for accountability, questioning why such tragedies have occurred repeatedly in Cetinje. The government’s response has been to swiftly announce new policies regarding firearms in an effort to restore public confidence and ensure the safety of its citizens. As discussions continue, the grim reality of violence intersects with political responsibility, underscoring the need for urgent reforms in Montenegro's society and law enforcement strategies.