Belgrade, Serbia – A Serbian court on Monday handed down prison sentences to the parents of a young boy involved in a tragic school shooting in Belgrade last year that left nine students and a security guard dead. The May 3, 2023, event, which unfolded in Serbia’s capital, has since etched a deep mark on a country unaccustomed to such violent outbreaks despite a high rate of gun ownership.
Vladimir and Miljana Kecmanovic faced the Belgrade Higher Court on charges related to the incident caused by their 13-year-old son, who cannot face criminal charges due to his age. According to the court’s decision, Vladimir received a 14-year and six-month sentence while Miljana was sentenced to three years in prison.
The court confirmed Vladimir Kecmanovic was guilty of serious charges concerning public safety violations and the neglect and abuse of a minor. His wife, Miljana Kecmanovic, was found guilty of neglect and abuse of a minor but was acquitted of the charges related to unauthorized weapon handling.
Simultaneously, Nemanja Marinkovic, a shooting range instructor where Vladimir Kecmanovic frequently took his son, was sentenced to one year and three months in prison for his role in the tragic events.
Throughout the trial, which spanned almost a year and was conducted largely behind closed doors, emotions ran high. In a poignant scene outside the courthouse, grieving family members of the slain children were visibly distressed. Meanwhile, other students lay flowers at the courthouse steps, observing a ten-minute silence in memory of their peers and the security guard.
The teenage perpetrator of the deadly shooting has since been housed in a psychiatric institution. He made a court appearance in October during the trial proceedings, providing testimony in a high-security courtroom—typically reserved for severe crimes, including organized crime and war crimes.
The aftermath of the tragedy prompted quick action from local authorities, especially following another deadly shooting barely days after the school incident. In response, Serbian lawmakers designated May 3 and 4 as Days of Remembrance to honor the victims of these mass shootings.
Legal proceedings for both incidents continue to reflect the ripple effects of gun violence in the region, pushing the government and communities to reconcile with complex issues of gun control, mental health, and public safety.
It is expected that the defense might appeal Monday’s court decisions, drawing out a legal process that has held the nation’s attention and brought a tight-knit community to the forefront of a national conversation about safety and security in public spaces, especially schools.
Across Serbia, the incidents have stirred a broader dialogue about the necessity and effectiveness of existing firearm regulations and the societal responsibilities of safeguarding youth. The country, still grappling with the shadow of these tragedies, looks toward healing and preventative measures to forestall future incidents of this scale.