A gunman opened fire at a nursing home in Daruvar, Croatia on Monday morning, July 22, 2024, killing six people, including the gunman’s mother. The attack has plunged the community into mourning and raised urgent questions about gun control and the mental health of war veterans.
According to the national police chief, Nikola Milina, the attack began at approximately 10 a.m. Five victims died on the scene, while a sixth died from injuries sustained later that day in the hospital. Among the dead were five residents of the nursing home, mostly in their 80s and 90s, and one employee. Additionally, six others were injured, with four in serious condition.
The suspect, a 51-year-old former police officer and decorated war veteran, Krešimir Pahoki, was apprehended at a nearby cafe shortly after the attack. He had been known to law enforcement due to a history of troubling incidents. Authorities are investigating the motive, with reports suggesting the suspect may have been angry about financial issues, including bills for his mother’s care. A Daruvar resident, Zlatko Sutuga said the suspect was known to be aggressive, “alcohol and all that”.
The assailant, whose mother had been living in the nursing home for ten years, used an unregistered firearm in the attack. This has brought attention to the issue of illegal weapons still in circulation following the violent breakup of Yugoslavia in the 1990s. Many of these weapons remain in private homes, posing a significant risk to public safety.
Nina Samot, a relative of a nursing home resident, expressed her distress to the media, stating that her 90-year-old mother was at the facility. She described the situation as horrific, focusing on the shock felt throughout the small town, particularly for those with loved ones inside the nursing home. Samot mentioned that everyone was waiting and in shock.
Croatian President Zoran Milanovic conveyed his shock and sorrow, describing the incident as a brutal and unparalleled crime. He urged for stricter gun control measures to prevent similar tragedies in the future, emphasizing that this should serve as a wake-up call for all relevant institutions to take more decisive actions against violence in society.
The small town of Daruvar, with a population of around 8,500, is known for its peaceful environment and spa facilities. The nursing home, described as a high-quality care facility, housed approximately 20 residents. This massacre is among the worst in Croatia’s history since it declared independence in 1991. It follows a series of mass shootings in neighboring Serbia, which led to a significant number of citizens handing over their firearms during a government amnesty.
According to the police, Pahoki is facing 11 criminal charges, including murder and attempted murder. The charges also include femicide, which refers to the killing of women due to their gender.
