Background to the Belgrade School Shooting

The incident that shook Serbia occurred on the morning of 3 May 2023 at the Vladislav Ribnikar Model Elementary School in the Vračar municipality of Belgrade. A 13-year-old student opened fire inside the school building, resulting in the deaths of nine children and one security guard. This event marked the first mass school shooting in the country’s modern history and prompted widespread national mourning along with immediate scrutiny of firearm access and parental oversight.

Serbia maintains relatively high levels of legal gun ownership compared to many European nations, yet such large-scale attacks remain exceptionally rare. The case quickly drew attention to questions of how firearms are stored in households and the responsibilities of adults when minors have access to weapons.

The Parents and Initial Charges

The shooter’s parents, Vladimir Kecmanović and Miljana Kecmanović, faced criminal proceedings shortly after the attack. Prosecutors charged Vladimir with a serious offence against public safety and abuse of a minor. Miljana faced charges of neglect and abuse of a minor. The allegations centred on the father’s alleged failure to properly secure handguns and ammunition, as well as claims that he had provided firearms training to his son. Both parents were accused of not preventing the boy from accessing the weapons used in the attack.

The criminal trial of the parents began on 29 January 2024 at the Belgrade Higher Court. On 30 December 2024 the court delivered its first verdict, convicting the father and sentencing him to 14 years and six months in prison. The mother received a three-year sentence. A gun instructor who had reportedly taught the boy how to handle firearms also received a prison term in the same proceedings.

The Appeal Process and Order for Retrial

Following the December 2024 verdicts, the Belgrade Court of Appeal reviewed the case. In November 2025 the appellate court ordered a retrial for both parents. The decision cited unclear and contradictory reasoning in the original verdicts as the basis for sending the matter back to the lower court. This procedural step is common in Serbia’s judicial system when higher courts identify deficiencies in the factual or legal analysis provided by trial courts.

Retrials in the Serbian system allow the original court to revisit evidence, hear additional arguments if necessary, and issue a new reasoned judgment. The process underscores the importance of clear judicial reasoning at every level of the court hierarchy.

The Retrial Verdict Delivered in June 2026

On 18 June 2026 the Belgrade Higher Court issued its retrial decision. Vladimir Kecmanović was again sentenced to 14 years and six months in prison. He was convicted of abuse of a minor and a serious offence against public safety. Miljana Kecmanović received a sentence of two years and 11 months, one month shorter than her original term. She was found guilty of neglect and abuse of a minor.

The court’s statement emphasised that both parents had been found guilty of neglect and abuse of a minor, while the father additionally bore responsibility for the public-safety violation linked to unsecured firearms. The sentences largely aligned with the initial outcomes, demonstrating that the retrial largely upheld the core findings while refining certain aspects of the reasoning.

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Legal Context of Parental Responsibility in Serbia

Serbian criminal law includes provisions that hold adults accountable when minors under their care commit serious offences due to neglect or failure to supervise. The charges of “neglect and abuse of a minor” reflect statutes designed to protect children while also addressing situations where inadequate oversight contributes to harm inflicted on others.

The additional charge against the father of a “serious offence against public safety” relates specifically to the improper storage and handling of firearms. Serbia’s legal framework requires gun owners to follow strict storage protocols. Breaches that enable unauthorised access can trigger significant penalties, especially when they result in loss of life.

The case illustrates how Serbian courts apply these overlapping provisions when weapons kept in the home become instruments of mass violence. The retrial allowed the court to clarify the precise legal basis for each conviction and sentence.

Public Safety and Firearm Regulations in Serbia

Although Serbia has one of the higher per-capita rates of legal firearm ownership in Europe, mass shootings of this scale have been virtually unknown until 2023. The rarity of such events has historically been attributed to cultural factors, strict licensing requirements, and social norms around responsible gun ownership.

Following the 2023 shooting, authorities reviewed existing regulations and public discourse intensified around safe storage practices. The parents’ convictions reinforce the message that adults who possess firearms must maintain rigorous security measures, particularly when children live in the household.

European neighbours have watched the Serbian proceedings with interest, as many countries grapple with similar questions of parental liability and youth access to weapons. The outcome may influence ongoing policy discussions across the region about balancing individual rights with collective safety.

Stakeholder Perspectives and Reactions

The prosecutor’s office welcomed the retrial verdict, noting that it reaffirmed accountability for adults whose actions or omissions enabled the tragedy. Court statements highlighted the gravity of failing to secure lethal weapons and the duty of care owed to both the minor and the wider community.

Victims’ families have followed the proceedings closely, seeking justice and clearer explanations of how the attack could have been prevented. While specific reactions remain private, the sustained media coverage reflects ongoing public demand for transparency in the judicial process.

Legal observers in Serbia have pointed to the retrial as an example of the appellate system functioning to correct procedural shortcomings, even when the substantive outcome remains largely unchanged. This aspect of the case may serve as a reference point for future high-profile trials.

Implications for Serbia’s Justice System

The retrial and subsequent sentencing underscore Serbia’s commitment to thorough judicial review in sensitive cases. By ordering a new trial when reasoning appeared insufficient, the Court of Appeal demonstrated that procedural fairness remains a priority alongside substantive justice.

The case also highlights the challenges courts face when balancing multiple charges that overlap in complex family and public-safety scenarios. Clear, well-documented reasoning at the trial level helps avoid unnecessary delays and appeals.

Going forward, Serbian authorities may examine whether additional legislative measures or public-education campaigns could strengthen prevention efforts. The convictions send a strong signal that parental responsibility extends to the secure management of dangerous items in the home.

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Future Outlook and Possible Appeals

The parents retain the right to appeal the June 2026 retrial verdict to higher courts. Any further review would examine whether the new judgment adequately addresses the concerns raised by the Court of Appeal in November 2025.

Regardless of additional appeals, the case has already established important precedents regarding the application of neglect, abuse, and public-safety statutes in the context of firearm-related tragedies. Legal practitioners and policymakers will likely study the final reasoned judgments for guidance in similar matters.

Serbia’s experience may also contribute to broader European conversations about youth violence prevention, responsible gun ownership, and the limits of parental criminal liability. As the judicial process continues, the focus remains on delivering accountability while upholding due-process standards.

Conclusion

The retrial sentencing of Vladimir and Miljana Kecmanović marks a significant chapter in Serbia’s response to the 2023 Belgrade school shooting. The court’s decision to impose lengthy prison terms reflects the gravity with which the justice system views failures in firearm security and parental oversight. While the outcome largely mirrors the original verdicts, the retrial process itself illustrates the safeguards built into Serbia’s legal framework. As appeals remain possible, the case continues to shape discussions on public safety, family responsibility, and judicial transparency across the country and the wider region.

For readers seeking further context on European legal developments, additional reporting is available from major international outlets.