On Sunday, Serbian Education Minister Branko Ruzic resigned from his post, four days after a school shooting where a 13-year-old killed eight students and a security guard. Ruzic expressed his condolences to the victims’ families in an open letter to Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic, describing the event as a “cataclysmic tragedy” that has shaken the Balkan nation. In a letter he shared on Twitter, Ruzic cited his responsibility and professionalism in his previous public duties and offered his irrevocable resignation from his position as Minister of Education in the Government of the Republic of Serbia.
Initially, Ruzic had attributed the unprecedented massacre to the internet, video games, and “western values.” However, opposition parties and human rights groups immediately called for his resignation, and thousands gathered in front of the ministry the day after the shooting to convey the same message. Less than 48 hours later, a 21-year-old committed another massacre in a village near Belgrade, killing eight people. In response, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic promised to implement a large-scale disarmament plan, while the police pledged to deploy officers to patrol around schools.
Serbia has one of the highest rates of gun ownership in the world, with over 39 firearms for every 100 civilians according to the Small Arms Survey project.
