A suspect has been arrested. Serbian broadcasting reports. The broadcaster learned that the suspect was arrested near the town of Kragujevac, according to AFP. Eight people are killed and 13 injured after the shooting south of Belgrade. Local media write that seven of these are in critical condition. The suspect is said to have argued with his friends in a school yard late on Thursday evening, to have left the scene, and then returned with a Kalashnikov, reports newspaper B92. The 21-year-old will then start shooting at both police and civilians. Newspaper Informer writes that the perpetrator was surrounded, but refused to surrender. The police in Serbia have set up a series of roadblocks after the mass shooting on Thursday evening. Photo: ANDREJ ISAKOVIC / AFPThe police in Serbia have set up a series of roadblocks after the mass shooting on Thursday evening. Photo: ANDREJ ISAKOVIC / AFP He is said to have fled the city in a vehicle while he shot at a crowd. RTS further reports that a policeman who was not on duty is among those killed. – It is sad. The young policeman is my daughter’s age, says a resident of Dubona to Reuters. – We couldn’t sleep all night. They grew up together. The injured have been taken to two local hospitals, according to local media. The Ministry of Health has sounded the alarm and is asking people who can donate blood to come forward. Interior Minister Bratislav Gasic calls this latest shooting an “act of terrorism”. Residents talk to each other on the street in Dubona. Photo: ANDREJ ISAKOVIC / AFPInhabitants talk to each other on the street in Dubona. Photo: ANDREJ ISAKOVIC / AFP Extensive police search The shooting is said to have continued through three villages in the area, state media reports. Vegans entering the villages of Malo Orasje and Dubona are blocked off. A witness told Reuters that the police are present with large forces. Shortly before dawn, cars on the road out of the village were checked by heavily armed police, according to Reuters. A helicopter, drones and several patrols were also seen in the area. Here, Serbian police search with a helicopter near the village of Malo Orasje. Photo: ANDREJ ISAKOVIC / AFP Here, Serbian police search with a helicopter near the village of Malo Orasje. Photo: ANDREJ ISAKOVIC / AFP – We are looking for him in this area and are taking all precautions. A semi-automatic rifle is a serious threat, one of the police officers told the agency. More than 600 police officers are now involved in the search. Among them are officials from the anti-terrorist force in Serbia (SAJ). Second shooting incident in two days The shooting takes place the day after the worst school shooting in Serbian history, where a 13-year-old killed eight students and a security guard. The violence led to the Serbian government adopting a tightening of arms control. In the next two years, no new weapons licenses will be issued, a review of existing licenses and control of how weapons are stored. There are many Serbs who own weapons, but such mass shootings are very rare. A mother holds her son after the school shooting in Belgrade. Photo: AFPA mother holds her son after the school shooting in Belgrade. Photo: AFP President Aleksandar Vucic called the shooting on Wednesday one of the most difficult days in the country for a long time. On Friday, the country in the Balkans starts a three-day mourning period, after a vigil on Thursday evening with several hundred children present at the school where the shooting happened. A group of secondary school teachers demonstrated at the crime scene on Thursday, to also demand stricter security measures and improvement of the school system, according to Reuters.
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