In a shocking incident that has sent ripples of horror through Montenegro, a gunman opened fire on Wednesday, killing at least ten people, including two innocent children, in the southern part of the country. The violence erupted in a restaurant located in the Cetinje area, igniting from a disagreement among patrons, as reported by local police.

The aftermath revealed that the shooter, 45-year-old Aleksandar Martinović, not only targeted strangers but tragically also turned the gun on his own family members. Among the deceased were two children of the restaurant's owner, alongside the owner himself. As details unfolded, Montenegro's Interior Minister, Danilo Saranovic, characterized the brutal act as a result of "disturbed interpersonal relations."

Adding to the heartbreak, four individuals remain in critical condition in the hospital due to life-threatening injuries sustained during the rampage. The national mood has shifted to mourning, with Prime Minister Milojko Spajic announcing three days of national mourning starting Thursday and labeling the incident as a "terrible tragedy."

As police closed in on Martinović, he initially attempted to flee but ultimately took his own life after being surrounded. Mass shootings are exceedingly rare in Montenegro, a country known for its tight-knit communities and relatively low levels of violent crime.

With the community now grappling with the devastating impact of this attack, questions regarding mental health, gun control, and societal issues are being raised. Will this tragic event prompt a national conversation about safety and prevention measures in Montenegro? One can only hope that such a tragic loss serves as a catalyst for change, helping to ensure that such horrors never happen again.