Parents of Serbia’s Teenage Gunman Receive Prison Sentences in Reopened Trial
Parents of Serbia s teenage school – In a retrial held in Belgrade, the parents of a 13-year-old boy linked to the fatal shooting of nine students and a security guard at Vladislav Ribnikar elementary school were sentenced to prison terms. The incident, which occurred on 3 May 2023, marked a rare and shocking event in Serbia’s history, as mass gun violence was uncommon in the country.
The Tragedy in Belgrade
The boy, who had accessed two handguns from his father’s safe, carried them into school and opened fire in the hallway and a classroom. Serbian reports stated he fired 66 rounds over two minutes and one second, striking multiple victims. One girl died shortly after the attack, while others sustained injuries, including five children and a history teacher.
Initial Trial and Appeal
The parents were first tried in 2024, with evidence from their son presented in closed sessions. The father received a 14-year and six-month sentence for failing to secure firearms and allegedly training his son in handling weapons. His wife was convicted of neglect but cleared of illegal firearm possession. An instructor from a shooting range, where the boy had practiced, was also found guilty of providing false testimony.
“This trial has been a protracted battle that will continue in the appellate court,” said Zora Dobričanin, a lawyer representing the victims’ families.
However, the Belgrade court of appeal ordered a retrial in November 2025, citing unclear and conflicting reasoning in the original verdicts. During the retrial, the father remained in custody while the mother was released until the latest proceedings. The retrial began in January, with prosecutors emphasizing that convicting the parents would address how society grappled with the nation’s most devastating peacetime tragedy.
Defense Arguments
Defense attorneys argued that the parents’ conviction for neglect mirrored the earlier ruling, which had been overturned. They contended that the charges lacked sufficient evidence and that no expert testimony was provided to confirm the boy’s treatment was inadequate.
Aftermath and Public Response
Two days after the initial attack, another gunman killed nine people in a drive-by shooting near Belgrade. The incident sparked widespread demonstrations, with tens of thousands demanding justice. In response, the Serbian government introduced a gun amnesty program and enacted stricter laws to prevent similar tragedies.
