A gunman opened fire in a nursing home in central Croatia on Monday, killing six people and wounding at least six others. The suspect, a former policeman, was later apprehended by police.
In a shocking and senseless act of violence, a gunman entered a nursing home in the quiet Croatian town of Daruvar on Monday and opened fire, killing six people including his mother. The victims, mostly in their 80s and 90s, were residents and an employee of the facility.
The national police chief, Nikola Milina, confirmed that five people died immediately, while another succumbed to their injuries in the hospital. At least six other individuals were wounded, four of them seriously. The motive behind the attack is still under investigation.
Tragedy Strikes Croatian Nursing Home: Gunman Kills Six, Wounds Others
The suspect initially fled the scene but was apprehended by police shortly thereafter in a cafe near the nursing home. Authorities have not yet released his name or provided details about his motive.
However, local media outlets reported that the suspect, born in 1973, was a former policeman who had served in the Croatian War of Independence in the 1990s and was a decorated war veteran. He was known to police for causing several incidents in the past.
Tragedy Strikes Croatian Nursing Home: Gunman Kills Six, Wounds Others
The attack left the small town of Daruvar in shock and mourning. Residents gathered outside the modest one-story care home to inquire about loved ones and express their disbelief.
"What is the cause, the trigger, it is difficult to say," said Damir Lnenicek, the mayor of Daruvar. "That will be determined by the investigation." Croatian President Zoran Milanovic expressed his shock at the "savage, unprecedented crime" and called for stricter gun control measures.
Police officials revealed that the suspect used an unregistered firearm in the attack. Many weapons remain in private homes in Croatia following the bloody breakup of Yugoslavia in the 1990s. Private gun ownership is legal in Croatia, but requires a mental health check.
Authorities are continuing to investigate the motive behind the attack and gather evidence. The suspect is expected to face charges of multiple homicides and attempted homicides.
The tragedy has raised concerns about the prevalence of unregistered firearms in Croatia and the need for stricter gun control measures to prevent future acts of violence.
