Shooting and arson in Serbian capital (VIDEO)

Gunshots were heard outside of Serbia’s parliament building on Wednesday, with local reports indicating that one person has been injured. Billowing black smoke could also be seen rising from the scene after the suspect reportedly set fire to a large tent. 

According to local news outlet Kurir, the perpetrator has been detained and identified as 70-year-old Vladan Andelkovic. He is said to have shot and wounded a 57-year-old man, Milan Bogdanovic, before igniting a tent that had been erected by supporters of President Aleksandar Vucic outside the National Assembly. Kurir also reported that the suspect threw a handful of ammunition into the flames. 

The victim was reportedly wounded in the thigh but did not sustain life-threatening injuries, according to the newspaper. Firefighters have extinguished the blaze, while police have cordoned off the area and launched an investigation. 

In a televised address, Vucic condemned the incident as a “terrorist act” carried out on innocent people. He said the suspect had purchased gasoline and intentionally set fire to the tent, calling the attack an attempt to spread fear.  

Vucic also showed a video in which the suspect could be heard claiming that he had acted with suicidal intent. “The occupation of the city center annoys me. I set fire to the tent with gasoline,” he can be heard saying in the recording. “I wanted you to kill me because I can no longer live,” the man said. 

The president suggested, however, that the man “tried to pretend to be crazy” and actually knew what he was doing due to his background in security forces. 

Vucic added that Bogdanovic remained in surgery with a bullet still lodged in his body and wished him a full recovery.