A devastating shooting incident at a Belgrade school in Serbia has left eight students and a guard dead, leaving the nation in a state of shock and disbelief. The attack was carried out by a 13-year-old boy, who has admitted to the crime, describing himself as a “psychopath” who needed to calm down. The boy, who is too young to face criminal charges, told police that he had planned the attack for a month, sketching out classrooms and making a list of children he intended to target.
According to police, the boy first killed a school guard and then three students in a hallway before entering a history classroom, where he opened fire again. The victims included a girl with French citizenship, as confirmed by the French Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Anne-Claire Legendre. The assailant then called police, claiming he had shot some people in the school and was a “psychopath” who needed to calm down.
The motive behind the shooting remains unclear, but police have confirmed that the boy reloaded the handgun. The incident has sparked concerns about gun control and school security in Serbia, with many officials and commentators expressing their disbelief at the violence. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic addressed the nation, saying, “Today is one of the toughest days in Serbia’s modern history… Unfortunately, Serbia is united in grief.”
Fatal Attack Rocks Belgrade School
The victims included seven girls and one boy, ranging in age from six to 15. Six children and a teacher were taken to hospital, while authorities declared three days of nationwide mourning starting from Friday. The shooter, identified as Kosta Kecmanovic, was arrested at the scene and found to be carrying two guns belonging to his father, as well as four petrol bombs. Although the weapons were licensed, the teenager knew the code to access them.
Many students were able to flee through a back door, with one student describing the attacker as a “quiet guy” who had good grades. Another student, who was in a history class during the shooting, said the boy had fired at her teacher and then her classmates as they ducked under their desks. Local media footage showed a commotion as police removed Kecmanovic, whose head was covered as officers led him to a car. Police sealed off the blocks around the school, while authorities carried body bags to a waiting van.
The incident has sent shockwaves through the country, with many officials and commentators expressing their disbelief at the violence. As authorities continue to investigate, the nation is left to grapple with the devastating consequences of this tragic event. The incident has raised questions about how such a heinous crime could have occurred in a school, and what measures can be taken to prevent such tragedies in the future.
