Serbia school shooter’s parents sentenced to prison after retrial

Parents of a Serbian school shooter who killed nine children and a security guard in 2023 have been sentenced to prison terms following a retrial in Belgrade, as courts revisit one of the country’s most shocking mass-casualty cases in recent history.

Vladimir and Miljana Kecmanović were convicted over neglect and abuse of a minor in connection with the attack carried out by their then-13-year-old son at Vladislav Ribnikar Elementary School in the Serbian capital. The boy was under the age of criminal responsibility at the time of the shooting and was placed in a psychiatric institution following the tragedy.

Retrial ends with prison sentences for both parents

On Thursday, the court sentenced the boy’s father, Vladimir Kecmanović, to 14 years and six months in prison. His mother, Miljana Kecmanović, received a sentence of two years and 11 months for neglect.

Both the prosecution and defence have lodged appeals against the rulings, according to reports.

The case had already been through an initial trial in 2024, when the court heard evidence behind closed doors, including testimony from the shooter himself.

Deadly 2023 school attack shocked Serbia

The shooting took place on 3 May 2023, when the boy entered Vladislav Ribnikar school armed with two handguns taken from his father’s safe. He opened fire in a hallway and classroom, killing seven girls, a boy, and a school security guard. A tenth victim, a girl, later died in hospital.

In total, 10 people were killed and five children and a teacher were wounded.

The attacker fired 66 bullets in just over two minutes, according to court findings reported by Serbian media.

At the time, mass shootings in Serbia were extremely rare and school shootings were previously unheard of, making the attack especially shocking nationwide.

Earlier trial and retrial developments

In the original trial, the father was convicted for improperly storing weapons and training his son to handle firearms, while the mother was initially cleared of illegal firearm possession but convicted of neglect. A shooting range instructor was also convicted of giving false testimony.

However, in November 2025, an appeals court ordered a retrial, citing unclear and contradictory reasoning in the earlier verdicts. The father remained in custody, while the mother remained free until the retrial concluded.

The retrial began in January 2026, with prosecutors arguing that holding the parents accountable was part of Serbia’s broader effort to address the aftermath of one of its most devastating peacetime tragedies.

Legal battle set to continue

Lawyers for the defendants argued that the neglect charges were not sufficiently proven and said there was no expert evidence demonstrating parental neglect.

The verdicts are expected to be further reviewed as both sides pursue appeals, extending a case that has already deeply divided public opinion and sparked nationwide debate over gun laws and responsibility.