14-year-old fatally stabs police officer, injures another in Bosnia

A 14-year-old has attacked a police station, fatally stabbing one officer and critically injuring another.

The assault took place in Bosanska Krupa, a town located 300 kilometres (186 miles) northwest of Sarajevo, Bosnia’s capital, according to Ramo Isak, interior minister for the Bosniak-Croat federation.

“One officer is dead and the other is wounded,” Isak stated.

The injured officer is hospitalized with life-threatening injuries, as confirmed by police spokesman Adnan Beganovic to national broadcaster BHRT.

Beganovic stated that the young attacker, born in 2009, has been arrested, and an investigation into the incident is underway.

The motive for the attack remains unclear, but regional police chief Adnan Habibija expressed concern over the involvement of a minor, describing it as “an alarm bell for our society.”

“This is very sad. What surprised us is that it concerns a minor aged 14 who dared attack officers in a police station.

“It’s an alarm bell for our society,” said Habibija.

Armin Halitovic, the mayor of Bosanska Krupa, a town of about 11,000 residents, said the attack had shocked the peaceful community. “We are a peaceful and tolerant town,” he noted.

In June last year, a 13-year-old injured a teacher with a firearm in a school in northeastern Bosnia.

Police have increased security measures following the incident.