Parents Sentenced to Prison for Son's School Shooting in Belgrade

In a landmark case, the parents of a 13-year-old boy responsible for a deadly school shooting in Belgrade, Serbia, have been sentenced to prison terms. The High Court of Belgrade handed down the verdicts on Monday, concluding an eleven-month trial that has gripped the nation.

Sentencing Details

• Father: Vladimir Kecmanovic received a 14.5-year prison sentence
• Mother: Miljana Kecmanovic was sentenced to 3 years in prison

The father's sentence combines charges of "serious threat to public safety" and "negligence and child abuse," while the mother was convicted of "negligence and child abuse" but acquitted of unauthorized weapons charges[6][9].

The Tragic Incident

On May 3, 2023, the couple's son, then 13 years old, entered his primary school in Belgrade armed with his father's pistol. In a shocking act of violence, he killed nine students and a security guard[10]. Due to his age, the boy was not criminally responsible under Serbian law and was treated as a witness in his parents' trial[9].

Prosecution's Stance

Prosecutor General Nenad Stefanovic had sought maximum penalties for the father, including:

• 12 years for "serious offense against public safety"
• 3 years for "negligence and child abuse"

The prosecution argued that the father had trained his son in handling weapons, regularly taking him to a shooting range[9].

Public Reaction and Aftermath

The tragedy sparked massive anti-government demonstrations, with tens of thousands of protesters demanding:

• Resignations of certain officials
• An end to the glorification of violence in media
• A halt to the promotion of mafia culture[9]

This case has reignited debates about gun control, parental responsibility, and the influence of violent media on youth in Serbia.