Republic Square Shooting: Police Seek the Gunman
Police launched Operation Vihor overnight on November 6-7, and a 15-year-old was detained on Obilicev Venac. Unofficially, he said he was heading to damage a venue with the same owner.
Police in Belgrade are looking for the person who fired shots outside a hospitality venue on Republic Square overnight on November 6-7. The same night, a 15-year-old from Backi Jarak was detained. According to unofficial information, he was on his way to damage a different venue, owned by the same person who owns the one that was shot at. Police are still checking whether the two events are connected.
What is known about the Republic Square shooting?
Around two hours after midnight, police launched an operation called Vihor. After the shooting was reported, patrols went out to the scene and carried out an on-site investigation. One spent shell casing was found at the location. According to initial information, nobody was injured in the shooting.
Checks were stepped up across the wider city center, with officers inspecting suspicious individuals and vehicles. One of those checks led to the detention of a minor.
Who is the boy stopped on Obilicev Venac?
At about 2:30 a.m., officers of the Interventions Unit stopped a 15-year-old from Backi Jarak on Obilicev Venac. They found a surgical mask, gloves and a cross wrench used for wheel bolts. The boy was taken in and held by police.
According to unofficial information, he told officers he was headed to a venue on Pop Lukina Street to damage it. He allegedly added that he had received instructions for this through a mobile app. For now, these claims come solely from unofficial sources.
Why do police link the two venues?
Further checks established that the owner of the Republic Square venue, where the shots were fired, is the same person who owns the establishment on Pop Lukina Street. That second venue was allegedly the 15-year-old’s target. On that basis, police suspect the two events may be connected.
It is not yet known whether both incidents were part of a pre-arranged plan. The motive for the shooting is also unknown.
What are police looking for now?
Belgrade police investigators are working in two directions. The first is identifying the person who fired outside the hospitality venue. The second is finding out who sent the minor instructions through the app.
While the investigation continues, four questions remain open:
- who fired the shots outside the venue on Republic Square
- who sent the boy instructions, and how
- what the motive for the shooting was
- whether the shooting and the attempt to damage the other venue were planned together
The minor is being held by police. Because of his age, his name is not being published, and further steps in the proceedings will be reported once the competent authorities make them public.
