UP: Student who threatened students at the Cetinje art school placed in a location where he is receiving adequate assistance

A student who threatened students at the Cetinje Art School with a firearm has been temporarily placed in coordination with the competent prosecutor at a "location where he is provided with adequate assistance, taking into account his adolescence and age."

This was announced by the Police Directorate (UP), stating that, while investigating what preceded the report filed by the director of the Cetinje Secondary Art School "Petar Lubarda", their officers discovered that a minor from Tivat had allowed a student of that school to take photos of a weapon, which he had threatened to use via an app.

The Police Department said that their officers from Tivat, in cooperation with colleagues from the Podgorica Security Department and the Cetinje Security Department, have undertaken continuous and coordinated activities with the Basic State Prosecutor's Office in Kotor.

They said that they did this from the moment a student reported a potential threat to other students, and that Tivat Police Station officers learned that a female minor had allowed the reported student to take photographs of firearms in her residence.

"After receiving new information and knowledge, officers from the Tivat Police Department immediately took further action, initiated and obtained an order from the Basic Police Department in Kotor, and conducted searches at several locations in Tivat, during which they found and seized a 'Beretta' pistol in illegal possession at one location, in an apartment used by MC, with two accompanying frames and 43 rounds of ammunition, which is suspected to be the pistol in the disputed photo sent via an application during the potential threat. Police officers, in separate activities, during a search at another location, found and seized a 'Blow' starter pistol, cal. 9 mm. The acting state prosecutor at the Basic State Prosecutor's Office in Kotor will declare the qualification of the offense in relation to the found firearm - the pistol, while in relation to the starter pistol, a misdemeanor warrant under the Weapons Act was issued to the VJ person," the UP said.

They explained that objects and clues related to the event will be sent to the Forensic Center for the necessary expert examinations.

The UP thanked the director of the "Petar Lubarda" Secondary Art School for his responsible attitude towards the event.

They pointed out that in situations like this, when there is a potential threat from one person to others, only together can we react in a timely manner, in order to take preventive action to neutralize threats and combat the serious consequences that could result.

"The police have been communicating intensively in this event, and will continue to do so in the coming days, until all measures and actions are completed, with the State Prosecutor's Office, the Ministry of Health and the Ministry's professional services, as well as the administration of the 'Petar Lubarda' Secondary Art School, with whom we are achieving quality cooperation in a common goal, which is the safety and security of our citizens, especially the younger population. We also use the opportunity to call on parents and all citizens to pay special attention to their children's stay in cyberspace and the environment, as well as to be particularly mindful of their activities that may cause anxiety to others," the police announced.

They explained that, in this specific case, they have taken all measures and actions within their jurisdiction, taking into account that the reported student has been placed in a safe location under the observation of other authorities and services, and therefore further activities will be undertaken by other competent authorities.

"We call on all services responsible for resolving this issue to make their maximum contribution in the early recognition phase of adolescent antisocial behavior, in order to prevent and avert the occurrence of more serious consequences. As responsible professionals, we are obliged to take special care to protect the integrity of all students, including minors, who appear in this event - both those who were threatened and the student who was reported for sending such a message, and guided by the fact that in this specific case it is necessary to provide adequate and timely support and assistance to the reported student, before any consequences occur," the UP announced.