A gunman in Montenegro fatally shot 12 people, including two children, before dying by suicide after police surrounded him, officials confirmed Thursday.

The rampage in the western town of Cetinje began Wednesday afternoon following a bar brawl. The shooter, identified as 45-year-old Aco Martinović, killed the bar owner, the owner’s children, his own family members, and others. Four additional people were wounded.

Martinović fled the scene but was located by police and shot himself during the standoff. Interior Minister Danilo Šaranović stated the shooter died en route to a hospital from his injuries.

The violence unfolded around 5:30 p.m. when Martinović returned to the bar with a weapon, killing four people before moving to three other locations, according to Police Commissioner Lazar Šćepanović. Police blocked roads and deployed special units to secure the area.

Martinović, known for erratic behavior, had previous convictions, including a suspended sentence for violence in 2005 and a recent appeal for illegal weapons possession.

Prime Minister Milojko Spajić called the incident a “terrible tragedy,” and the government declared three days of national mourning. President Jakov Milatović expressed shock, noting the loss during a time typically marked by holiday celebrations.

Montenegro, a nation of 620,000 people, has a strong gun culture. Wednesday’s attack marks Cetinje’s second mass shooting in three years; a 2022 rampage left 10 dead before a passerby killed the attacker.