In a historic ruling that has sent shockwaves through Serbia, the parents of a 13-year-old boy who carried out a deadly school shooting have been sentenced to life imprisonment. The retrial, which concluded today in Belgrade, marks the first time in the country's history that parents have been held criminally liable for their child's actions in a mass shooting.
The tragedy unfolded in May 2023 when the teenager opened fire at his elementary school in the Vračar district of Belgrade, killing nine children and a security guard. The shooter, now 14, was previously sentenced to psychiatric detention, the maximum penalty for minors in Serbia. However, public outcry and a relentless campaign by victims' families led to the retrial of his parents, who were accused of gross negligence.
Prosecutors argued that the parents had failed to secure the firearms used in the attack, which were legally owned by the father. Evidence presented in court showed that the father had a history of reckless behaviour with weapons, often leaving them unlocked and accessible. The mother, a physician, was accused of ignoring her son's troubling behaviour, which included violent video game obsession and written threats discovered months before the shooting.
During the retrial, the courtroom was packed with bereaved parents, activists, and union representatives who saw the case as a watershed moment for public safety. "This verdict sends a clear message: negligence that costs lives will not be tolerated," said Milica Đorđević, a spokesperson for the victims' families. "For too long, the system has failed to hold adults accountable for the safety of children."
The defence argued that the sentence was excessively harsh, claiming the parents had been devastated by their son's actions and were not directly responsible. They vowed to appeal, citing procedural errors in the retrial. However, the judges dismissed these arguments, stating that the parents had shown "criminal recklessness" that contributed to the deaths of ten innocent people.
The verdict has reignited debates about gun control and parental responsibility across the Balkan region. Serbia has one of the highest rates of gun ownership in Europe, a legacy of the 1990s wars. In the wake of the 2023 shooting, the government introduced stricter gun laws and mandatory psychological evaluations for gun owners. Yet, campaigners argue that enforcement remains weak.
"This is not just about one family," said Dragana Marić, a labour activist who has been following the case. "It is about a society that tolerates easy access to weapons and ignores the warning signs. Working-class families like mine cannot afford private security or expensive mental health care. We rely on the state to protect us. This verdict is a step towards that protection."
The sentence of life imprisonment, which in Serbia typically means a minimum of 30 years, has been met with mixed reactions. Some legal experts worry it sets a dangerous precedent for collective punishment. "Criminalising parenting is a slippery slope," said Professor Ana Pavlović of Belgrade University. "We must ensure that justice does not become vengeance."
For the families of the victims, however, the verdict brings a semblance of closure. "No prison term can bring back our children," said Zoran Jovanović, whose daughter was killed. "But knowing that those who allowed this tragedy are being held accountable gives us some peace."
The shooter remains in a secure psychiatric facility, where he is receiving treatment. His case continues to be a sombre reminder of the intersection of mental health, gun violence, and parental duty. As the sun set over the courthouse, a crowd gathered silently, holding photos of the young victims. The weight of the verdict hung heavy, a testament to a nation grappling with its own conscience.
