Montenegrin police were searching late on Sunday for a Russian citizen suspected of killing three men at a shooting range in Danilovgrad before fleeing with a firearm and ammunition, authorities said.
Police identified the suspect as Mihail Nikolayevich Shabunin, 30, a Russian national.
The victims were identified as Nemanja Kapor, 20, and Petar Globarević, 24, from Podgorica, and Momir Radonjić, 67, from Danilovgrad.
Police Director Lazar Šćepanović said the suspect had spent time at the “Češka zbrojevka” shooting range in the days before the attack.
According to Šćepanović, Shabunin carried out test shooting on Sunday before entering the range building and allegedly opening fire.
“After completing the test shooting at the range, he entered the facility and committed the killings,” Šćepanović said.
He said the suspect then fled in a vehicle belonging to one of the victims.
Police later found the Seat Cordoba believed to have been used in the escape on a meadow in the Vranjske njive area, near the “Stefan” restaurant in Rogami.
The discovery shifted the search towards the wider Podgorica area.
Police warn of ‘active threat’
Authorities warned residents that the suspect remained armed.
“He is a dangerous person who took a certain amount of ammunition and a firearm with him,” Šćepanović said. “He represents a potential danger, an active threat.”
Montenegro’s entire available police force was deployed, authorities said, with both inner and outer cordons established around parts of the capital and surrounding areas.
Special and tactical police units were also involved in the operation.
Police urged residents to exercise extreme caution and immediately call 122 if they saw the suspect or had information about his movements.
Information can be provided anonymously, police said.
Earlier in the operation, authorities had advised residents in affected areas to remain indoors and be cautious when dealing with unknown individuals.
Three employees found dead
The Higher State Prosecutor’s Office in Podgorica said it was notified at around 5:30 p.m. that three bodies had been found inside the shooting range.
Prosecutor Slađana Španjević Volkov said investigators carried out an examination of the scene and collected evidence for forensic analysis.
The shooting club told RTCG unofficially that the three victims were employees who had been working without weapons and were unable to defend themselves.
Police have classified the case as a suspected aggravated triple murder.
No motive was immediately announced.
Two days of mourning
Prime Minister Milojko Spajić said he was “deeply shaken” by the killings.
He expressed condolences to the families and friends of Kapor, Globarević and Radonjić and said he had spoken with the interior minister and police chief about the search.
“I expect the perpetrator to be brought to justice as soon as possible,” Spajić said.
The government will declare Sept. 1 and Sept. 2 days of mourning, he said.
The beginning of the school year in Danilovgrad will also be postponed until Thursday, Sept. 3.
The manhunt was continuing late on Sunday, with police warning that Shabunin should be considered armed and dangerous.