The School Massacre That Shook a Nation: Who’s Really to Blame?
On May 3, 2023, a boy under the age of 14 opened fire at “Vladislav Ribnikar” elementary school in Belgrade, killing ten of his classmates, injuring five more children and a history teacher. This horrific crime shocked Serbia and the region, and now a fierce legal battle is underway over responsibility and punishment.
The Verdict That Set Off a Firestorm
The Higher Court in Belgrade ruled that Miljana and Vladimir Kecmanović, the boy’s parents, along with the school, must pay around one million dinars in compensation to the families of the victims. The boy himself is not criminally responsible because he was under the age of 14, the legal age for criminal responsibility. However, the court found the parents responsible for poor upbringing and vices that influenced their son’s behavior.
The court also found that the school made serious security lapses that contributed to the tragedy. The staff’s conduct prior to the massacre did not meet professional standards, constituting harmful inaction.
Punishments for Parents and Instructor
Vladimir Kecmanović was sentenced to 14 years in prison for neglect and abuse of a minor and a serious crime against public safety. His wife Miljana received three years for neglect and abuse. The shooting instructor Nemanja Marinković was sentenced to 15 months for giving false testimony.
What Actually Happened?
On May 1, the boy took his father’s pistol and during the first class at school shot his classmates. He killed ten, wounded five, and injured the history teacher. After the crime, he calmly put on his backpack and left the school.
Why Does This Matter?
This verdict raises many questions about the responsibility of parents, schools, and society as a whole. Can such tragedies be prevented? Is justice served when a minor cannot be criminally prosecuted due to age? And how can the system better protect children?
What Do You Think?
Are the parents and school truly to blame? Is the punishment for the parents too lenient or too harsh? How would you react if you were in the victims’ families’ shoes? Drop a comment, share your thoughts, or just throw in a sarcastic joke — this topic is too hot to ignore!
Conclusion
This tragedy and verdict are a wake-up call for all of us. The system must change, schools must be safer, and parents must be more responsible. Only then can we prevent such horrors from happening again.
Join the conversation — silence is not an option when children’s lives are at stake.
