Schoolboy shooter testifies at parents’ trial in Belgrade

A 14-year-old boy, known only as KK, who perpetrated a tragic mass shooting at a primary school in Belgrade last year, has testified in the ongoing trial of his parents. The shooting, which took place in May 2023, resulted in the deaths of nine children and a security guard, prompting national outrage and grief.

Because KK is below the age of criminal responsibility, he cannot be prosecuted for the shooting. Instead, his parents are facing trial on charges of “serious acts against general safety,” specifically for allegedly failing to secure the firearms and ammunition used in the attack. They deny these allegations.

KK was brought to court under special escort, marking his first public appearance since the incident. He has been held in a psychiatric institution since the shooting. During the closed-door session at the High Court in Belgrade, he answered questions from the judge, prosecutors, and defense attorneys representing the families of the victims, including the mother of one of the slain children.

The emotional weight of the hearing was palpable, with many parents attending in hopes of understanding the motives behind the horrific shooting at Vladislav Ribnikar primary school. KK, then just 13, entered the school with a handgun and opened fire, targeting his classmates; eight of the nine children he killed were girls.

The tragedy was compounded less than 48 hours later when another shooting spree claimed the lives of eight more individuals at a village outside the capital, further plunging Serbia into mourning.

Prior to the hearing, public prosecutors cautioned Serbian media against leaking any details of KK’s testimony. However, many parents emerged from the courtroom visibly shaken, with tears in their eyes. Ognen Bozovic, a lawyer representing the victims’ families, described the session as one of the most harrowing experiences of his legal career. He stated that the primary focus of the questioning was to ascertain the motive behind the shooting, and he expressed optimism that KK’s testimony could contribute to securing convictions against his parents.

KK’s father, Vladimir Kecmanovic, is currently in custody, accused of instructing his son in the use of firearms while neglecting to secure the weapons properly at home. Meanwhile, his mother remains free on bail.

Following the hearing, the family’s lawyer commented on the boy’s life prior to the tragedy, emphasizing that he had lived a relatively normal existence and lamenting that no legal proceedings could adequately uncover the factors that led to the shooting.

The trial has sparked intense discussions within Serbia about gun control and the safety of children in schools. The public outcry has been amplified by the subsequent shooting incident, highlighting the urgent need for reforms in mental health support and firearm regulations in the country.

The heartbreaking nature of the case has resonated deeply within the community, as parents continue to grapple with the unimaginable loss of their children. The testimony from KK is expected to play a crucial role in the ongoing trial of his parents, as the court seeks to understand how such a tragedy could unfold.

While KK’s testimony remains confidential, the implications of the trial extend far beyond the courtroom. The case has ignited a broader conversation about societal responsibilities, mental health, and the need for preventive measures to protect children.

As the trial continues, families of the victims are left searching for answers and accountability in the wake of a tragedy that has forever altered their lives. The emotional toll of the hearings underscores the profound impact of violence on communities and the urgent need for systemic change to prevent future tragedies.