BELGRADE, SERBIA – A tragic school shooting in central Belgrade has left nine children dead and six others injured according to local authorities. The shooter, 15-year-old Bogdan Kecmanovic, opened fire at the Petar Lekovic Primary School using his father’s licensed handgun on Monday, the first day of classes after a long weekend for the May 1 holiday. Police arrested his father at the scene.
Kecmanovic had been planning the attack for a month, drawing sketches of classrooms and even creating lists of children he intended to kill. Authorities believe he knew the code to the safe where the gun was kept. Serbia and the wider Balkan region have traditionally been spared the mass shootings that plague the United States, although experts have warned that large numbers of weapons in the country and decades of instability could lead to similar incidents.
The incident has raised concerns and sparked calls for tighter security measures, including the introduction of metal detectors at schools. Although the motive behind the shooting remains unclear, mental health experts say that boys’ human development has been compromised by societal expectations, such as the belief that boys should be strong and independent, hampering their ability to acknowledge emotions and ask for help.
Serbia has a low level of violence in schools making the attack all the more jarring. The Petar Lekovic Primary School has canceled classes until further notice. During a press conference, President Aleksandar Vucic said, “We need to teach our children that life is the most important thing and that they should never risk it for any kind of vengeance or momentary satisfaction.”
The tragedy in Belgrade serves as a reminder of the devastating impact that gun violence can have on children’s lives and the need for preventive measures to ensure their safety.
