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

<h2>Editor's Note</h2>

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.

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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

Oliver Bunic/AFP/Getty Images

Parents of Serbian School Shooter Sentenced in Re-Trial

Serbia

Crime & justice

The justice system in Serbia is working as intended, with those responsible facing prison services for their culpability. While it is undoubtedly a painful and traumatic process for the families of the victims for the Kecmanović's to have pursued this appeal, the similarity of this sentencing to the original outcome is testament to the proportion of their punishment. Not only are they facing repercussions for enabling their son's actions, but also for the neglect that spurred him towards violence.

The justice system in Serbia is working as intended, with those responsible facing prison services for their culpability. While it is undoubtedly a painful and traumatic process for the families of the victims for the Kecmanović's to have pursued this appeal, the similarity of this sentencing to the original outcome is testament to the proportion of their punishment. Not only are they facing repercussions for enabling their son's actions, but also for the neglect that spurred him towards violence.

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 it is those who perpetrate serious crimes that face justice.

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 it is those who perpetrate serious crimes that face 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 incident, with illegal gun ownership reduced in the country within a matter of days.

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 incident, with illegal gun ownership reduced in the country within a matter of days.

Parents of Serbian School Shooter Sentenced in Re-Trial

Parents of Serbian School Shooter Sentenced in Re-Trial

The Spin

Editor's Note

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Parents of Serbian School Shooter Sentenced in Re-Trial

Parents of Serbian School Shooter Sentenced in Re-Trial

The Spin

Editor's Note

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