Legal Proceedings Following the 2023 Belgrade School Shooting

On May 3, 2023, a 13-year-old student opened fire at the Vladislav Ribnikar Model Elementary School in Belgrade, Serbia, killing nine students and a school guard. The incident, which also left five students and a teacher injured, remains the deadliest school shooting in Serbian history. Because the perpetrator was under the age of 14 at the time of the attack, he cannot be held criminally responsible under Serbian law, leading to complex legal proceedings focused on his parents and the school’s security measures.

Legal Status of the Perpetrator

Under the Serbian Criminal Code, the threshold for criminal liability is 14 years of age. Because the shooter was 13 when the attack occurred, the Serbian Higher Public Prosecutor’s Office confirmed he cannot be prosecuted, sentenced to prison, or held in a standard juvenile detention facility. Following the shooting, the boy was placed in a psychiatric institution for observation and remains under the care of medical professionals.

Criminal Charges Against Parents

While the shooter is exempt from criminal prosecution, the Serbian judiciary has moved forward with cases against his parents. The Belgrade Higher Court has initiated a trial against the boy’s father, Vladimir Kecmanovic, on charges of “grave acts against public safety.” According to prosecutors cited by the Associated Press, the father is accused of teaching his son how to handle firearms and failing to secure the weapons used in the attack properly. The mother, Miljana Kecmanovic, also faces charges related to the illegal possession of ammunition found at their residence.

Impact on Serbian Gun Legislation

The tragedy prompted an immediate and significant shift in Serbian gun control policies. In the weeks following the shooting, the Serbian government launched an amnesty period, urging citizens to surrender unregistered weapons. According to the Serbian Interior Ministry, citizens surrendered more than 100,000 weapons and millions of rounds of ammunition during this initiative. The government subsequently introduced stricter licensing requirements and increased police presence in schools across the country to prevent future incidents.

Key Details of the Investigation

• Casualties: Nine students and one school security guard were killed.
• Location: Vladislav Ribnikar Elementary School, located in the Vračar municipality of Belgrade.
• Weaponry: The shooter used two handguns legally owned by his father.
• Legal Precedent: The case highlights the limitations of the Serbian justice system regarding offenders under the age of 14, prompting national debates on potential legislative reforms.

Ongoing Civil Litigation

In addition to the criminal trials, families of the victims have initiated civil lawsuits against the perpetrator’s parents and the school. These cases seek damages for the trauma and loss experienced by the families. Legal experts in Belgrade note that these civil proceedings are running parallel to the criminal trials, aiming to establish institutional accountability regarding school safety protocols and the supervision of minors with access to firearms.