A tragic mass shooting at a care home in Croatia has left at least six people dead and several others injured, sparking calls for stricter gun control in the Balkan country.
The gunman entered the nursing home in the town of Daruvar and opened fire, killing five people, including an employee of the care home. One additional victim died in the hospital, and four others remain in critical condition.
The suspect fled the scene but was later apprehended at a cafe, where he was found in possession of unregistered firearms. Croatian President Zoran Milanovic described the shooting as “savage” and “unprecedented,” calling for more rigorous rules on gun ownership.
Authorities have not yet determined a motive for the massacre, but it has been reported that the suspect’s mother was a resident at the care home for a decade. The gunman, believed to be a war veteran, had a history of disturbing public order and domestic abuse.
The small town of Daruvar, with a population of 7,000, has been left in shock by the tragedy. Mayor Damir Lnenicek expressed disbelief that such an event could occur in their community.
Mass shootings are rare in Croatia, and this incident is one of the worst in the country’s history since gaining independence in 1991. The country has a moderate rate of gun ownership compared to other European nations.
Neighboring Serbia experienced two mass shootings last year, prompting a government-led amnesty program for citizens to surrender their firearms. The recent tragedy in Croatia has reignited the debate on gun control in the region.
