BBC News

Parents of Serbia's teenage school shooter given jail terms in retrial

Reuters

Parents Serbian School Shooter Sentenced Retrial Report Says 2026 06 18

Serbian Monitor

Parents of the school shooter sentenced

Le Monde.fr

Client Challenge

Verdicts handed down for the parents of the boy who carried out the Vladislav Ribnikar school massacre

Vijesti.Me

When is it not too early for criminal liability?

The Washington Post

Serbia Gun Laws Mass Shooting

Atlantic

What the U.S. Can Learn About Gun Violence From Serbia

The parents of a Serbian boy who killed in 10 people at an elementary school shooting in 2023 were convicted and sentenced in a re-trial in Belgrade on Thursday.

The parents of a Serbian boy who killed in 10 people at an elementary school shooting in 2023 were convicted and sentenced in a re-trial in Belgrade on Thursday.

The boy, who was 13 at the time of the May 2023 shooting and identified only as KK in court proceedings, could not be tried because he was under 14, the legal age of responsibility in the country. He was instead held at a psychiatric institution.

The boy, who was 13 at the time of the May 2023 shooting and identified only as KK in court proceedings, could not be tried because he was under 14, the legal age of responsibility in the country. He was instead held at a psychiatric institution.

Vladimir Kecmanović, the boy's father, was sentenced to 14 and a half years in prison after he was found guilty of neglect and abuse of a minor in addition to a serious offence against public safety.

Vladimir Kecmanović, the boy's father, was sentenced to 14 and a half years in prison after he was found guilty of neglect and abuse of a minor in addition to a serious offence against public safety.

The court heard that the boy had taken two hand gun's from his father's safe before putting them in his backpack and attending the Vladislav Ribnikar school in Belgrade. It also heard that the father had frequently taken his son to a gun range.

The court heard that the boy had taken two hand gun's from his father's safe before putting them in his backpack and attending the Vladislav Ribnikar school in Belgrade. It also heard that the father had frequently taken his son to a gun range.

Miljana Kecmanović, the boy's mother, was sentenced to 35 months' imprisonment after she was also convicted of neglect and abuse of a minor.

Miljana Kecmanović, the boy's mother, was sentenced to 35 months' imprisonment after she was also convicted of neglect and abuse of a minor.

The punishments were similar to the original sentences handed down by the court following a December 2024 trial, though they were quashed in November last year after an appeals court ruled there was unclear and contradictory reasoning in the judgement. Lawyers for the defense and the prosecution indicated they would appeal the latest judgement.

The punishments were similar to the original sentences handed down by the court following a December 2024 trial, though they were quashed in November last year after an appeals court ruled there was unclear and contradictory reasoning in the judgement. Lawyers for the defense and the prosecution indicated they would appeal the latest judgement.

BBC News #

Reuters #

Serbian Monitor #

Le Monde.fr #

Vijesti.Me #

The Washington Post #

Atlantic #

The boy, who was 13 at the time of the May 2023 shooting and identified only as KK in court proceedings, could not be tried because he was under 14, the legal age of responsibility in the country. Instead, he was held at a psychiatric institution.

The boy, who was 13 at the time of the May 2023 shooting and identified only as KK in court proceedings, could not be tried because he was under 14, the legal age of responsibility in the country. Instead, he was held at a psychiatric institution.

Miljana Kecmanović, the boy's mother, was sentenced to 35 months' imprisonment after she was also convicted neglect and abuse of a minor.

Miljana Kecmanović, the boy's mother, was sentenced to 35 months' imprisonment after she was also convicted neglect and abuse of a minor.

The punishments were similar to original sentences handed down by the court following a December 2024 trial but they were later quashed in November last year after an appeals court ruled there was unclear and contradictory reasoning in the judgement. Lawyers for the defense and the prosecution indicated they would appeal the latest judgement.

The punishments were similar to original sentences handed down by the court following a December 2024 trial but they were later quashed in November last year after an appeals court ruled there was unclear and contradictory reasoning in the judgement. Lawyers for the defense and the prosecution indicated they would appeal the latest judgement.

Despite the high levels of gun ownership in Serbia, mass shootings are extremely rare and this incident shocked the Balkan nation. There were large demonstrations calling for gun reform after this happened.

Despite the high levels of gun ownership in Serbia, mass shootings are extremely rare and this incident shocked the Balkan nation. There were large demonstrations calling for gun reform after this happened.

While many European countries have similar laws about the age of legal responsibility, it is clear they are not fit for use. As in this case, a 13-year-old boy is mature enough to plan a heinous attack but is considered too young to be held responsible. If the age of culpability was lower, he might have been deterred from carrying out the attack.

While many European countries have similar laws about the age of legal responsibility, it is clear they are not fit for use. As in this case, a 13-year-old boy is mature enough to plan a heinous attack but is considered too young to be held responsible. If the age of culpability was lower, he might have been deterred from carrying out the attack.

Parents of Serbian School Shooter Sentenced in Re-Trial

Oliver Bunic/AFP/Getty Images

Parents of Serbian School Shooter Sentenced in Re-Trial

Serbia

Crime & justice

This shooting was a tragedy, but it was at least one that inspired cultural change and a national discourse concerning gun ownership and violence in the country. Thousands of weapons were handed in following the elementary

This shooting was a tragedy, but it was at least one that inspired cultural change and a national discourse concerning gun ownership and violence in the country. Thousands of weapons were handed in following the elementary

This case doesn't simply highlight issues concerning gun control, but also those of the age of criminal responsibility. A 13-year-old boy planned and carried out a heinous attack, yet is considered too young under Serbian law to be held responsible. Had the age of culpability been lower, it may have deterred the extremity, or even the execution of the attack. Laws must be stringent enough to ensure those who perpetrate serious crimes face justice.

This case doesn't simply highlight issues concerning gun control, but also those of the age of criminal responsibility. A 13-year-old boy planned and carried out a heinous attack, yet is considered too young under Serbian law to be held responsible. Had the age of culpability been lower, it may have deterred the extremity, or even the execution of the attack. Laws must be stringent enough to ensure those who perpetrate serious crimes face justice.

Parents of Serbian School Shooter Sentenced in Re-Trial

Parents of Serbian School Shooter Sentenced in Re-Trial

The Spin

Sign Up for Our Free Newsletters
Sign Up for Our Free Newsletters

Parents of Serbian School Shooter Sentenced in Re-Trial

Parents of Serbian School Shooter Sentenced in Re-Trial

The Spin

Sign Up for Our Free NewslettersSign Up for Our Free Newsletters

Sign Up for Our Free Newsletters
Sign Up for Our Free Newsletters