Shooting Outside Serbian Parliament Leaves One Seriously Injured

A shooting incident outside the Serbian Parliament in Belgrade on Wednesday resulted in one man suffering serious injuries. The event occurred near a tent set up by supporters of Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, during which shots were fired and a fire reportedly broke out. Authorities detained one individual, while police secured the area following the incident.

President Vucic was scheduled to address a government event but had to leave early, referring to the situation as a “terrorist act” that transpired in front of the assembly building. The shooting took place in a park situated between the parliament and Vucic’s office, where supporters had erected tents to prevent protesters from approaching the buildings. At the time of the shooting, no protests were occurring.

According to local media outlet Telegraf.rs, the incident involved a 70-year-old man who shot a 57-year-old man in the leg before firing a gas canister inside the tent camp. Health Minister Zlatibor Loncar confirmed to reporters that the injured man sustained severe wounds and required urgent surgical intervention.

Witnesses captured videos of the chaotic scene, showing armed security personnel approaching the tents as the injured man hobbled away. Another video verified by Reuters depicted a man lying on the ground with his hands behind his back, surrounded by police officers. Fire engines and law enforcement were present at the scene shortly after the shooting.

The public unrest in Serbia has been ongoing for over a year, primarily fueled by discontent with Vucic’s government. The protests were initially sparked by a tragic incident in November 2022, when the collapse of a train station awning in Novi Sad resulted in the deaths of 16 individuals, which many attributed to government negligence and corruption.

While the shooting has heightened tensions in an already charged political environment, local police reported that there was no longer any danger to the public. An officer at the scene stated, “there is no danger anymore,” as authorities continued to investigate the incident.