Serbia Marks First Anniversary of Tragic School Shooting with Somber Vigil

Hundreds of people gather outside the Vladislav Ribnikar Elementary School in central Belgrade, Serbia, to commemorate the victims of the country's first-ever school shooting, which occurred one year ago today. The tragedy left nine children and a school guard dead, with six others wounded.

The solemn event, titled "Awakening," includes a silent queue, flower-laying, and candle-lighting ceremonies. Thevigilformally starts at 8:41 a.m., the exact time the shooting began last year. Serbian television stations interrupt their broadcasts, displaying the text "We remember" on a black screen.

The school shooting, carried out by a 13-year-old boy using his father's guns, stunned the nation. Nine children and a school guard died as a result and six people were injured.

Ninela Radicevic, who lost her 11-year-old daughter Ana Bozovic in the shooting, criticizes society and the government for "rushing to forget" the tragedy. She and other parents of the slain children have been fighting for the school to be closed and turned into a memorial center.

In response to the shootings, Serbia's populist government launches a gun crackdown, collecting approximately 80,000 weapons and rounds of ammunition. The government also provides counseling and deploys police officers outside schools for security.

Why this matters: This tragic event highlights the need for stricter gun control laws and a shift away from a culture of violence in Serbia, which has the highest level of civilian gun ownership in Europe. This tragic event highlights the need for stricter gun control laws and a shift away from a culture of violence in Serbia, which has the highest level of civilian gun ownership in Europe. The aftermath of the shooting also emphasizes the importance of accountability and the role of government in preventing such devastating incidents from occurring again.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic pays respects at the vigil, stating that the "unthinkable tragedy has left a permanent scar on the soul of our entire nation." The suspects in both shootings have been apprehended, with the alleged school shooter's parents on trial for teaching their underage son to shoot and failing to secure their weapons.

The trials of the other suspect and his father are set to begin later this month in the central town of Smederevo. The shootings sparked months of street protests demanding the resignations of top officials and a ban on media promoting hate speech and intolerance.

Serbia has the highest level of civilian gun ownership in Europe, with roughly 39 out of 100 people owning firearms, according to the Small Arms Survey research group. The protest movement that emerged after the shootings coalesced into a political bloc that challenged President Vucic in elections last December but failed to unseat the government.

The nation continues to struggle with the aftermath of the shootings, the commemoration event highlights the deep scars left by the tragedies. The calls for accountability, stricter gun control, and a shift away from a culture of violence highlight the challenges Serbia faces in preventing such devastating incidents from occurring again.

Key Takeaways

• Serbia marks 1st anniversary of country's first-ever school shooting, killing 9 children and 1 guard.
• The tragedy highlights the need for stricter gun control laws and shift away from culture of violence.
• Serbia has the highest level of civilian gun ownership in Europe, with 39 out of 100 people owning firearms.
• Government launches gun crackdown, collecting 80,000 weapons and providing counseling and security.
• Trials of suspects and their parents are ongoing, with calls for accountability and stricter gun control.