In brief
On 3 May 2023 a 13‑year‑old boy killed ten people at Vladislav Ribnikar school in Belgrade. His parents were convicted of neglect and abuse, receiving 14½ years and almost three years in jail. Both sides have appealed, while a new trial for the boy continues to center on how society responded to one of Serbia’s worst peacetime tragedies. The case highlights the country's evolving gun‑safety laws and the grave consequences of parental oversight.
Parents of Teen Shooter Sentenced in Belgrade Retrial
The boy who opened fire on a Belgrade elementary school on 3 May 2023 has left a lasting wound in Serbian society. His parents, Vladimir and Miljana Kecmanović, were given prison sentences – 14 ½ years for the father and almost three years for the mother – on a new trial in November 2025 after the original verdict was overturned.
The 13‑year‑old fired 66 bullets in a two‑minute span, killing ten, including a guard, while injuring several others. The boy was placed in a psychiatric facility because he was under the age of criminal responsibility, but the court held his parents negligent and abusive. The father was also accused of failing to secure firearms and training his son illegally.
The retrial started in January, with the prosecutor arguing that the convictions would provide insight into how Serbia responded to the tragedy. However, both sides lodged appeals – the defence claiming the evidence didn’t prove negligence and the prosecution presenting expert testimony for the court’s review.
The case remains a stark reminder of the recent history of gun violence in Serbia, a country that had only experienced rare mass shootings before the school tragedy. The government followed the incident with wider gun‑amnesty and stricter regulations, yet the legal battle over the parents reflects ongoing debates about safety, responsibility, and the protection of children in a digital age.
As reporters and stakeholders gather in the Metaworld, we’ll continue to bring the human stories of the victims and the systemic changes rooted in this case. Stay tuned in our virtual press corner for live updates, expert panels, and immersive tours of Belgrade’s key locations.
