DARUVAR: A gunman opened fireplace in a nursing house in Croatia on Monday (Jul 22), killing at the very least six individuals in a uncommon occasion of gun violence within the Balkan nation, officers mentioned.
FIve residents and one worker have been lifeless after the gunman entered the non-public nursing house in jap Croatia’s Daruvar and went on a killing spree, in line with police.
The gunman then fled the scene and was later arrested at a restaurant, the place he was carrying unregistered firearms.
The person had a earlier police file for disturbing public order and home abuse, mentioned Croatian nationwide police chief Nikola Milina.
Officers first reported that 5 individuals had been killed through the taking pictures, however Milina confirmed a sixth sufferer died after being transported to a hospital.
“That is an unprecedented crime,” Social Coverage Minister Marin Piletic advised reporters in Daruvar.
“It stays to be seen within the coming days why this has occurred,” he added.
Within the taking pictures’s wake, police sealed off the non-public nursing house situated alongside a quiet road in Daruvar, the place a small crowd gathered and watched as a forensics workforce entered the residence.
Police mentioned they have been knowledgeable of the incident at 10.10am native time, and confirmed the suspect had entered the nursing house and used a firearm.
Native media experiences later described the suspected shooter as a retired navy police officer who had fought in Croatia’s struggle of independence through the bloody breakup of Yugoslavia from 1991 to 1995.
“A TERRIFYING WARNING”
As information of the taking pictures unfold, shock rippled via Daruvar – a quiet city of some 7,000 – that has lengthy been a preferred spa vacation spot due to the world’s thermal springs.
“It is onerous for me to know that this could occur in our city, nation,” Daruvar mayor Damir Lnenicek advised N1 regional broadcaster.
Round 20 individuals lived within the nursing house on the time of the taking pictures, in line with the mayor.
“What’s the set off? It is tough to say, will probably be decided by the investigation” Lnenicek added.
Following the taking pictures, Croatia’s President Zoran Milanovic took to social media the place he referred to as the taking pictures “savage”.
“It’s a terrifying warning and a final name to all competent establishments to do extra to stop violence in society, together with much more rigorous management of arms possession,” mentioned the president.
Shootings in Croatia are uncommon, with Monday’s incident among the many worst in Croatia’s historical past because the declared independence in 1991.
Final yr in neighbouring Serbia, the nation was rocked by back-to-back mass shootings, together with a bloodbath at a college within the capital in Belgrade during which 10 individuals have been killed.