Petrovac na Mlavi: man who shot at parents surrenders

The man who shot at his parents in a village near Petrovac na Mlavi, then attacked his mother with a machete, turned himself in to police after about three hours and was arrested. The suspect, identified by the initials Z. S. (40), was questioned on suspicion of attempted aggravated murder and illegal weapons possession. On the orders of the competent prosecution, he was placed in detention for up to 48 hours.

According to the circumstances known so far, the suspect first opened fire at his father. He then allegedly turned the weapon on his mother. When the handgun jammed, he reached for a machete and used it to wound his mother, who is now fighting for her life. The father was also harmed in the incident, though no official statement has been issued on the severity of his injuries.

The suspect fled after the attack. While on the run, according to police information, he lost the handgun he had fired. Since he came to the police on his own and was arrested, the manhunt was called off. What remains open is the weapon: police are now searching solely for the lost handgun, which forms part of the physical evidence in the case.

What is known about the motive and sequence of events?

The suspect’s guilt has not been established by a final court ruling. At this stage the matter is a pre-trial procedure, in which the prosecution gathers evidence and establishes the facts. Z. S. is for now under suspicion, but has not been convicted, and retains all the rights of defense afforded to him by law.

According to neighbors, the background to the attack was a long history of poor family relations. The same sources say the suspect had posted disturbing messages on social media before the attack. Those claims have not been officially confirmed for now and will be examined during the investigation. In cases like this, neighbors’ accounts provide context, but do not replace the findings of the prosecution and forensic experts.

The speed with which the suspect surrendered, less than three hours after the attack, shortened the search operation, but it does not lessen the gravity of the offense he is charged with. Attempted aggravated murder is among the most serious criminal offenses, and it is accompanied here by suspicion of illegal weapons possession.

How important is finding the lost handgun?

Recovering the handgun is not a mere formality. The weapon used in the shooting is a key piece of physical evidence, which ballistic analysis links to the rounds fired and to the suspect. As long as the handgun has not been found, a safety risk remains in the field, since it is a firearm left out in the open.

For that reason, police have asked the public to call 192 if they have any information. Telegraf also published a tip line, +381 64 8939257, for information related to this case. Any detail that helps locate the weapon could matter for the further course of the investigation.

The mother’s condition remains the gravest point in this case. According to available information, she sustained serious injuries and is fighting for her life. How events unfold will depend both on her recovery and on what forensic analysis reveals about the order and circumstances of the attack.

In the coming days the case will move from the arrest phase to a prosecutorial decision on a possible motion for custody. What do you think, how much does a fast police response in rural areas shape the outcome of such family tragedies?