A year following a tragic school shooting in Belgrade, Serbia, where a teenage shooter killed eight children and a school guard, the country still grapples with the aftermath of the shocking incident. The shooting spree, which took place on May 3, 2023, also left seven others wounded, one of whom later succumbed to injuries. Just a day after this horrific event, another shooting rampage occurred outside the capital, resulting in the death of nine individuals and injuries to 12 more. The events stunned Serbia, a nation not accustomed to such mass shootings, especially within school premises.
The mother of one of the victims, an 11-year-old girl named Ana Bozovic, is determined to ensure that the memory of the victims is not forgotten. Ninela Radicevic, still grieving the loss of her daughter, has preserved Bozovic’s room as it was on the day she left for school, with drawings, medals, and stuffed animals adorning the space. Radicevic has been leading efforts to remember the children who lost their lives in the shooting, advocating for societal introspection and change to prevent such tragedies in the future. The upcoming anniversary of the shooting will be marked with a commemoration ceremony near the school, featuring various activities and discussions centered around the victims.
The parents of the slain children have been actively involved in seeking justice and making changes in the aftermath of the shooting. They have called for the closure of the school and its conversion into a memorial center, organized protests, and participated in awareness campaigns to address societal issues that may have contributed to the violence. Despite the Serbian government’s efforts to increase security measures and launch a gun crackdown following the shootings, critics have raised concerns about the lack of significant changes in addressing the root causes of violence within the country.
Some experts believe that the shootings have sparked a sense of fear and activism among the Serbian population, prompting calls for societal change and introspection. Dragan Popadic, a psychology professor, suggests that the incidents are a manifestation of deeper societal issues that have evolved over time, particularly stemming from the conflicts of the 1990s. Radicevic reflects on missed opportunities for collective healing and catharsis, pointing out the normalization of traumatic events and the lack of deep reflection within society. As Serbia continues to grapple with the aftermath of the shootings, the need for sustained efforts to address underlying causes of violence and enhance societal resilience remains crucial.
