Bio

Uroš Blažić was born on 11 October 2002. He grew up in Serbia and was 20 years old in 2023.

His father is Radiša Blažić, a retired lieutenant colonel in the Serbian Armed Forces. Neighbors described Uroš as arrogant and aggressive and said he was often protected by his father. He was known to admire a Serbian former criminal, Kristijan Golubović.

Blažić had a juvenile criminal record. On 28 July 2019, a misdemeanor charge of insolent behaviour was filed after he used a chainsaw to cut a ramp that a local had put up to protect a property entrance; a tractor he was driving caused minor injuries to a person. As a minor he also drove a motorcycle, did not stop for police, and struck an officer, who suffered shoulder and hip injuries. The police invited him to report on 1 June 2020, and his motorcycle was temporarily confiscated.

In 2022, Blažić passed the tests to enter the Military Academy. He did not pass the Military Security Agency background check because of previous misdemeanor proceedings for violent behaviour.

Murder Story

On the evening of 4 May 2023 a shooting occurred in the villages of Dubona and Malo Orašje, between Mladenovac and Smederevo, Serbia. Armed with an automatic assault rifle, the shooter opened fire from a car. Nine people were killed and thirteen others were injured. The attacker fled the scene and was caught the next day near Kragujevac.

The shooter was 20-year-old Uroš Blažić. After the shootings he left his car and stole another vehicle in Dubona. He stopped a taxi near the Mali Požarevac tollbooth and threatened the driver. A pregnant woman who had been in the taxi later left the car. Blažić hid in Vinjište, near Kragujevac, where police arrested him on 5 May 2023.

Following the incident, Blažić’s father, uncle, and first cousin were taken into custody on charges related to criminal possession of weapons. The first cousin was found guilty and sentenced to 18 months in prison. The uncle was acquitted. Blažić’s father was found guilty and sentenced to 20 years in prison.

Blažić was charged with murder, attempted murder, criminal possession of a weapon, kidnapping, and carjacking. He admitted to the acts and said he used an assault rifle and three pistols. His trial began on 23 August 2024. On 12 December 2024 he was found guilty on all charges and was sentenced to 20 years in prison. On 20 June 2025 the verdict was confirmed.

The shootings happened one day after the Belgrade school shooting. Both incidents led to mass protests in Serbia. Protesters demanded changes and officials announced measures on gun ownership. The government introduced a moratorium on gun permits, more checks for gun owners, and a month-long amnesty for surrendering illegal or unregistered weapons. By the end of the amnesty the ministry reported that citizens handed over 78,302 firearms, 4,085,000 rounds of ammunition, and 25,914 pieces of ordnance.

Serbia has strict gun laws but also a high rate of gun ownership. Mass shootings are rare in the Balkans, but there were several earlier mass shootings in the 21st century, including incidents in 2007, 2013, and 2016. The 4 May 2023 shootings prompted large police searches, checkpoints, helicopters, and a blood donation drive for the wounded.

Several victims were killed in Malo Orašje and Dubona. One wounded person later died on 23 June 2023, bringing the death toll to nine. Authorities reported that fourteen others were injured, including children. Emergency services sent the wounded to hospital and said many were in life-threatening condition.

After his arrest, Blažić was detained and underwent mental status examinations. His detention was repeatedly extended. Forensic work, including mobile device forensics, was carried out to determine whether he had an accomplice. Sixty or more witnesses were brought in for questioning, including family members of the victims and eyewitnesses.

Authorities seized weapons and ammunition in searches connected to the case. The house of Blažić’s grandfather yielded several weapons and ammunition. The investigations into the family members included orders for mental status examinations and extensions of custody while prosecutors prepared their cases.