JAKARTA - A 13-year-old boy shot dead eight students and a security guard at a Belgrade, Serbian school on Wednesday in a premeditated attack, prompting Serbia's President to announce tougher restrictions on gun ownership.
Using two pistols belonging to his father, the boy opened fire first at a guard, then at three girls in the hallway, before shooting his teacher and classmate in history class, police said. The teacher and six students were hospitalized, some with life-threatening injuries.
Veselin Milic, Belgrade police chief, said the attacker had two guns and two petrol bombs, allegedly planning everything carefully.
"He even had... the names of the children he wanted to kill and their classes," he told a news conference, reported by Reuters, May 4.
"(The boy) ... first shot the teacher and then he started shooting at random," Milan Milosevic told broadcaster N1. Milosevic's daughter was in a classroom when the assailant entered, but she fled.
Meanwhile, Evgenija, 14, said he knew the suspected gunman.
"He's somehow quiet and seems nice and has good grades. Don't know much about him, he doesn't open up to everyone. I never expected this to happen," he said.
In the evening, thousands of people gathered around the elementary school to lay flowers and light candles.
Gun ownership is widespread in Serbia. However, President Aleksandar Vucic said the examination of ownership permits would be increased.
As Serbia prepares for three days of national mourning, President Vucic announced a moratorium on new gun licenses other than hunting, revisions to existing permits and control of shooting ranges, and how civilians store their weapons.
The shooter, who surrendered himself to police and is 13 years old under the Serbian age of criminal responsibility, will be placed in a psychiatric institution, President Vucic told reporters, adding that his father and mother had been arrested.
"He was waiting for this day. He was at the shooting range with his father three times," President Vucic. The child had asked to be transferred to another class where he had three friends, he said.
Meanwhile, Interior Minister Bratislav Gasic said the suspect's father held a gun legally.
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Meanwhile, Health Minister Danica Grujicic, a neurosurgeon who witnessed the aftermath of the Balkan wars, told reporters Wednesday's events were "probably the most horrific experience I have ever had as a doctor and as a human being."
It is known that gun laws are very strict in Serbia but civilian gun ownership is also widespread. Hundreds of thousands of weapons are still unaccounted for in Serbia after the Balkan wars of the 1990s.
According to the 2018 Small Arms Survey, Serbia is ranked third globally with 39.1 firearms per 100 people, and more than 78.000 people have hunting licenses.
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