A court in Croatia has handed down a 50-year prison sentence to a young man found guilty of a knife attack at an elementary school in the capital, Zagreb, which resulted in the death of a seven-year-old pupil.
The Attack That Shocked a Nation
The violent incident occurred on 20 December 2024 at the Precko Elementary School in Zagreb. The assailant, a 20-year-old man who was 19 at the time, entered his former school armed with a knife. In a brutal assault, he fatally stabbed a young student and wounded three other pupils and a teacher. Following the attack, the perpetrator attempted to take his own life.
Police investigations revealed that the attacker had previously lived near the school. The tragedy sent shockwaves through Croatia, a European Union member state where such violent acts in educational settings are exceedingly rare. Elementary schools in Croatia typically cater to children aged between 7 and 15.
Court Verdict and Legal Proceedings
On Tuesday, 23 December 2025, the County Court in Zagreb delivered its verdict. The convicted man received a 50-year prison sentence for his crimes. According to legal reports, this sentence remains subject to appeal.
Kresimir Skarica, the lawyer representing the family of the deceased child, commented on the outcome. Speaking to the Index news portal, Skarica stated the verdict was anticipated. "There are no winners or losers in this case," he said, reflecting the profound tragedy of the situation.
A Broader Context of Regional Violence
This devastating event in Croatia echoes a similar tragedy that occurred in the wider region. In May 2023, a teenager in neighbouring Serbia opened fire at a school in Belgrade, the capital. That attack claimed the lives of nine students and a school security guard, highlighting ongoing concerns about youth violence and school safety in parts of Europe.
The sentencing in Zagreb marks a sombre conclusion to a case that has left a deep scar on the local community and the nation, prompting reflections on security, mental health, and the safeguarding of educational spaces.
