Croatian police reported that an armed assailant entered a nursing home and shot at its residents, killing six people and injuring six others. Nikola Milina, the head of the Croatian police, stated that the shooting occurred on Monday, July 23, in the town of Daruvar, located in central Croatia. Five of the victims died at the scene, and one other succumbed to injuries after being taken to the hospital. He added that five of the deceased were residents of the nursing home, and one was a staff member. According to him, the assailant fled the scene but was apprehended shortly after in a nearby café. Local police also stated in a statement that the shooting was reported to them on Monday morning, the assailant is currently in custody, and investigations into the motive for the shooting are ongoing. A local television network reported that the assailant, born in 1973, is a former police officer who participated in the Balkan wars from 1991 to 1995 and is related to one of the residents of the nursing home. Local media reported that one of the victims was the mother of the assailant, who had been living in the nursing home for about ten years. This deadly shooting has shocked the small and quiet town of Daruvar. The mayor of the town told local media that everyone is in shock. He added, 'It is hard to determine the motive for this attack. Investigations will clarify this matter.' According to him, the shooting took place in a private nursing home that housed about 20 residents. Daruvar has a population of approximately 8,500 in the Slavonia region. Croatian President Zoran Milanović expressed shock at this unprecedented and brutal crime. He added, 'This is a horrifying warning and the last wake-up call for all responsible institutions to take more action to prevent violence in society and to tighten regulations regarding gun ownership.' Police officials stated that the assailant used an unlicensed and unregistered firearm in this attack. Following the wars that led to the breakup of former Yugoslavia, many people in Croatia still retain their personal firearms, and it is believed that many of these weapons are unregistered and unlicensed.
Six Killed in Shooting at Nursing Home in Croatia
An armed assailant killed six people at a nursing home in Daruvar, Croatia, including his mother, and injured six others. The shooter, a former police officer, was apprehended shortly after the incident. This shocking event raises concerns about gun control and violence in Croatian society.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
An armed assailant entered a nursing home in Daruvar, Croatia, killing six people, including his mother, and injuring six others. The shooter, a former police officer, was apprehended shortly after the incident.
- The assailant used an unlicensed firearm.
- Five victims were residents of the nursing home, and one was a staff member.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
Croatia has a history of violence stemming from the Balkan wars, and many citizens retain personal firearms, often unregistered. This incident highlights the ongoing challenges of gun control in the region.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →
Translation confidence: 85%