In a significant development following a devastating school shooting, the parents of a 13-year-old boy responsible for the deaths of ten people at a Belgrade elementary school have received prison sentences in a retrial. The father, Vladimir Kecmanović, was sentenced to 14 years and six months, while his wife, Miljana Kecmanović, received a sentence of two years and 11 months.

The tragic incident occurred on May 3, 2023, at Vladislav Ribnikar school, where the underage perpetrator fatally shot seven girls, one boy, and a security guard. Another student succumbed to her injuries later. The young shooter, who was below the age of criminal responsibility, was placed in a psychiatric facility. His parents faced charges related to neglect and abuse of a minor, with the father also accused of a serious offense against public safety for his role in the events.

The court’s decision in the retrial comes after an earlier verdict was overturned. The initial trial in 2024 had seen the father receive a lengthy sentence for allegedly training his son to handle firearms and failing to secure them properly, while the mother was acquitted of illegal firearms possession but convicted of neglect. An instructor from a shooting range also faced charges. However, an appeals court ordered a new trial for the parents in November 2025, citing unclear and contradictory reasoning in the initial verdicts. The retrial, which began in January, saw the prosecution argue that convictions would offer a measure of societal response to the tragedy.

During the retrial, details emerged about the scale of the attack, with reports indicating the boy fired 66 bullets in just over two minutes. The defense for the parents contested the neglect charges, arguing that the prosecution had not proven their case and that no expert testimony supported the claim of neglect. Both the prosecution and defense have indicated intentions to appeal the latest sentences, suggesting the legal battle is far from over.

Key Takeaways

• Parents of the Serbian teenager who carried out a school massacre have been sentenced to prison in a retrial.
• The father received a sentence of 14 years and six months, while the mother was sentenced to two years and 11 months.
• Both the prosecution and defense have appealed the sentences, indicating further legal proceedings are expected.

Editor’s Analysis & Impact

This retrial and sentencing underscore the complex legal and societal responses to mass violence, particularly when perpetrated by minors. The lengthy sentences for the parents highlight a growing trend in holding guardians accountable for the actions of their children, especially when negligence in firearm safety or supervision is involved. The appeals lodged by both sides suggest ongoing debate over the extent of parental responsibility and the interpretation of evidence in such sensitive cases. This case could set precedents for accountability in similar incidents within Serbia and potentially influence discussions on child safety and gun control laws internationally.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What were the charges against the parents?
A: The parents were charged with neglect and abuse of a minor. The father also faced a charge of a serious offense against public safety, related to the storage and accessibility of firearms.

Q: Why was there a retrial?
A: An appeals court ordered a retrial for the parents because the reasoning behind the verdicts in the initial trial was deemed unclear and contradictory.

Q: What was the outcome of the initial trial?
A: In the initial trial, the father was given a long jail term for training his son to handle guns and failing to store them safely. The mother was cleared of illegal possession of firearms but convicted of neglect. An instructor from a shooting range was also found guilty of giving false evidence.