Belgrade, Serbia – A young man, Uros Blazic, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison by a Serbian court for a horrific mass shooting that left nine people dead and 12 injured in a series of attacks that shocked the Balkan nation. The tragedy unfolded on May 4, 2023, when Blazic, just 21 years old at the time, unleashed terror by indiscriminately firing from an automatic rifle in two villages on the outskirts of Belgrade.
Described by judges as fully conscious of the gravity of his actions, Blazic’s violent rampage targeted young individuals out enjoying a spring evening, leaving a trail of devastation in its wake. The court emphasized his awareness of the criminal nature of his actions and his ruthless behavior that led to loss of lives and injuries.
This appalling incident occurred merely a day after another harrowing event rocked Serbia, as a teenager, using his father’s firearm, carried out a fatal shooting at an elementary school in central Belgrade, claiming the lives of nine students and a security guard. Notably, the perpetrator in the school shooting case was below the age of criminal responsibility and is currently undergoing treatment in a specialized mental health facility, while his parents face trial for their roles in the tragic event.
The ramifications of these back-to-back tragedies reverberated throughout the country, prompting widespread shock and anguish in a nation familiar with past conflicts but unaccustomed to such acts of mass violence. The aftermath saw a groundswell of public outcry, leading to protests demanding action against the pervasive issue of illicit gun possession.
Following a swift apprehension in central Serbia shortly after the shootings in Dubona and Malo Orasje, south of Belgrade, Blazic was brought to justice. The 20-year prison sentence meted out to him represents the maximum penalty allowable under Serbian law for individuals under the age of 21 at the time of the offense. In a parallel legal development, Blazic’s father, Radisa Blazic, was also convicted for the unlawful possession of firearms involved in the deadly spree and received an identical 20-year sentence.
During the trial proceedings, the younger Blazic expressed a profound inability to rationalize the motives behind his heinous actions, conceding to the court that his behavior was indefensible. Acknowledging the gravity of his crimes, he admitted to the court, “I committed hideous acts and I deserve the toughest punishment.”
Reports from Serbian media shed light on Blazic’s troubled past, indicating a history of violent tendencies and aggressive conduct prior to the fateful shootings. The presence of grieving parents and relatives of the victims in the Belgrade courtroom underscored the profound impact of the tragedy, with many clad in shirts bearing the images of those lost to Blazic’s senseless violence.
The verdict delivered by the Serbian court stands as a solemn reminder of the irrevocable harm caused by acts of mass violence, serving as a call to action to
