Belgrade, Serbia – In a private hearing filled with emotional intensity, a teenage boy who carried out a deadly shooting at a Belgrade school last year was brought before the court to testify against his own parents. The 14-year-old boy, identified only as KK, has been under psychiatric care since the tragic event in May 2023 that left nine of his schoolmates and a security guard dead. Because of his age, KK cannot face trial himself as he is considered below the age of criminal responsibility in Serbia.
At the heart of the legal proceedings against KK’s parents is the accusation that they failed to securely store the firearms and ammunition their son used in the massacre at Vladislav Ribnikar primary school. Both parents have pleaded not guilty to charges of a serious act against general safety. The gravity of the case has highlighted considerable concerns about gun ownership and child safety.
On appearing in court, KK, under heavy security, was questioned by the judge, the prosecutor, and defense attorneys representing both his family and the victims’ families. Significantly, the parents of the deceased children were present, seeking closure and understanding of the motives behind the horrifying act their children fell victim to during what should have been a safe school day.
A poignant moment in the courtroom occurred when KK answered questions from the mother of one of the children killed in the shooting. It’s reported that many parents attending the trial were visibly distraught, leaving the courtroom in tears after hearing the testimony.
The High Court of Belgrade, under strict confidentiality, conducted the trial, with prosecutors previously warning the media against disclosing sensitive details of the testimony. The precaution reflects the high emotions and significant public interest surrounding the case.
Legal expert Ognen Bozovic, representing the families of the victims, described the trial as among the most distressing he had ever seen. He expressed hope that the boy’s testimony would be instrumental in understanding the events leading to the crime and achieving justice for the victims.
Amidst the trial, the actions of KK’s father, Vladimir Kecmanovic, have come under scrutiny. Besides facing charges related to the improper storage of weapons, allegations have surfaced about him teaching his son to shoot, raising disturbing questions about parental roles and responsibilities. While the father remains in custody, KK’s mother has been granted bail.
This tragic case occurs against a backdrop of national mourning, intensified by another shooting that occurred just two days after the school massacre, where an unrelated attack by a 21-year-old man left eight more people dead in a village near Belgrade.
Throughout this legal process and the broader public discussion, one lawyer connected to the family hinted at the complexities facing the court in making sense of the inconceivable. He mentioned that prior to the incident, KK had shown no apparent signs of distress or inclination toward violence, underscoring the random and shocking nature of the tragedy.
As the trial proceeds, it not only aims to adjudge the responsibility of KK’s parents but also forces a broader societal reflection on issues of gun control, child safety, and the mechanisms in place to prevent such disasters in the future. The outcomes from this case are anticipated to impact legal and psychological approaches in dealing with juvenile offenders and parental accountability under Serbian law.