Zagreb horror evokes memories of the Belgrade massacre
21 December 2024
A national day of mourning has been declared across Croatia following a horrific attack at an elementary school in the Zagreb neighborhood of Prečko. A 19-year-old man, reportedly suffering from severe mental illness, fatally stabbed a seven-year-old child and injured five others, including three children and two adults.
“I begged the doctor not to let him out because he wasn’t ready. I have no idea why they would commit him only to a day hospital,” said the suspect’s mother. “He has an emotionally unstable personality, two additional diagnoses, and a history of self-harm.” The suspect allegedly also attempted suicide after the attack.
In response, Prime Minister Andrej Plenković announced new security measures, stating that schools will now remain locked during school hours.
 | Klara Vlahčević Lisinski The Croatian public is both heartbroken and outraged. The incident has cast a harsh spotlight on the country’s struggling mental healthcare system, exposing its failures in treating and monitoring high-risk individuals. The tragedy has also drawn grim parallels to the May 3, 2023, school shooting in Belgrade, Serbia. In that incident, a 13-year-old student opened fire at Vladislav Ribnikar Elementary School, killing nine students and a security guard and wounding six others. The massacre triggered weeks of anti-violence protests across Serbia. Whether this latest tragedy in Croatia will lead to meaningful reform remains uncertain. |
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