BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) — Ninela Radicevic still struggles to accept the reality that her daughter will never return.
Last year, 11-year-old Ana Bozovic was at her school in central Belgrade when a 13-year-old classmate entered and opened fire. Bozovic, along with two other girls and a school guard, tragically lost their lives instantly in the corridor. The shooter then proceeded to a nearby classroom, targeting more pupils and a teacher. In total, the senseless act of violence claimed the lives of 10 individuals, including eight children and a school guard, with seven others sustaining injuries. Tragically, one of the wounded children later succumbed to their injuries.
The incident sent shockwaves throughout Serbia, a nation familiar with violent crime but unaccustomed to mass shootings, especially within school premises. The shock deepened the following day when a 20-year-old man went on a shooting rampage near the capital, claiming the lives of nine individuals and injuring 12, most of whom were young people.
For Radicevic, time seemed to stand still on the day she lost her daughter. She believes that the entire country should have come to a standstill in the face of such an unfathomable tragedy. However, as she told The Associated Press, "everyone rushed to forget."
Speaking through tears at her home in Belgrade, Radicevic described Ana as a sports-loving, dancing girl whose room remains untouched, adorned with medals and drawings. Radicevic, a clinical researcher, has been at the forefront of efforts to commemorate the victims and prevent such tragedies in the future.
The upcoming anniversary will be marked with an all-day ceremony near the school, featuring art installations, expert discussions, and films about the victims. The program, titled "Awakening," reflects a call for introspection in a nation grappling with its history of violence.
The parents of the slain children have been actively involved in organizing memorials and advocating for change. They have pushed for the school to be closed and transformed into a memorial center, and they have called for greater awareness and societal change in Serbia.
In response to the shootings, Serbia's government implemented a gun crackdown, offered counseling services, and increased security at schools.
The shooters were apprehended, and legal proceedings are ongoing.
Despite these efforts, some critics argue that not enough has changed. Psychology professor Dragan Popadic acknowledges a shift in societal response but believes that more profound change is needed to address underlying issues.
Radicevic laments that Serbia missed an opportunity for catharsis, with many people simply relieved that their own children were not involved and quickly moving on.