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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

Three days of mourning in Serbia over tragedy at Vladislav Ribnikar primary school

Belgrade, 3 May 2023

Minister of Education Branko Ruzic announced today that the government of Serbia, following this morning's tragedy at the Vladislav Ribnikar primary school, made a decision on a three-day mourning in the territory of the whole of Serbia, on 5-7 May.

In this morning's shooting at this school, eight children and a member of the school's security system lost their lives, while six children and one teacher were injured and hospitalised.

At an extraordinary conference in the government of Serbia, which began with a minute of silence, Ruzic said that classes in the afternoon shift were cancelled today, and that classes would start tomorrow with a minute of silence.

The Minister of Education pointed out that the student of the Vladislav Ribnikar primary school K.K. committed this unprecedented crime this morning.

Minister of Health Danica Grujicic announced that the teacher and one student, who were injured in this morning's shooting, are in serious condition and their lives are at risk.

Grujicic added that two boys with lower limb injuries in Tirsova are stable, and the girl with a gunshot wound and head injury is critical because the damage is extensive.

She specified that there are three children in the Emergency Centre – a girl with abdominal injuries who has no injuries to internal organs and is stable, a boy with a leg injury is in orthopaedics, while another boy is most seriously injured.

He has a flattened chest, neck, and spine and the operation is still ongoing, while the teacher has pelvic and arm injuries, she is in the hall and her life is in danger, the Minister pointed out.

Head of the Police Department for the City of Belgrade Veselin Milic said that Kosta K. (13) planned this shooting in advance, and that he had the plan of the school building and a list of children he wanted to kill.

Milic stated that the suspected minor called the police and informed that he had shot several people, while his motive is still unknown.

K.K. had been planning this execution for a month, and he took the firearm from his father's apartment and brought it to school with four Molotov cocktails, Milic stated.

Minister of the Interior Bratislav Gasic said that the boy's father, K.K., was arrested, and that all legally prescribed measures will be taken.