Ninela Radicevic still struggles to accept 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 started shooting. Bozovic, along with two other girls and a school guard, tragically lost their lives instantly in the hallway.
The shooter then proceeded to a nearby classroom, where he continued his attack on students and a teacher.
In total, 10 people were killed that morning of May 3, 2023, at the school. Eight children and a school guard died immediately, and seven others were injured, one of whom later succumbed to their injuries.
The incident shocked Serbia deeply. While the country has seen violent crime, mass shootings, especially at schools, are rare.
The shock continued the following day when a 20-year-old man went on a shooting spree outside the capital, killing nine people and injuring 12 others, most of whom were young.
A woman hugs a little girl near the school (Ben Williams/ Shutterstock)
For Radicevic, time stopped on the day she lost her daughter. She feels that the entire country should have paused in the face of such an unimaginable tragedy. Instead, she expressed to The Associated Press, that everyone seemed eager to move on and forget.
With tears in her eyes, Radicevic spoke to AP at her home in Belgrade, surrounded by photos of her daughter. Ana is remembered as a spirited girl with a love for sports and dancing, proudly displaying medals from her competitions above her bed.
“We tend to forget these tragic events too quickly,” Radicevic remarked. “We need to stop sweeping everything under the rug.”
She believes it’s crucial for people to acknowledge the significance and sorrow of that moment. In Ana’s room, which remains untouched in their apartment, a world map adorns the wall, her stuffed animals sit on the bed, and a large photo of her in her judo attire hangs prominently. Her desk remains as she left it, adorned with drawings and messages.
Radicevic, a 49-year-old clinical researcher, has been leading efforts to ensure the memory of all the children killed at Vladislav Ribnikar school and the surrounding villages near Belgrade is preserved, hoping to prevent such a tragedy from occurring again.
