Nikola Jokic is busy with the Denver Nuggets, who are currently battling for an NBA title in the postseason. However, an incident has happened in the capital of Serbia. Approximately 200 kilometers away from Nikola’s hometown, Sombor, a shooting incident took place. The shooting took place in an elementary school, which resulted in a total of 8 students and a security guard being declared dead.
The incident has shocked everyone, including Jokic, who has spoken about it and sympathized with the victim’s families. He has also shown his support for the mental health of kids who are going through a difficult time. What is shocking is that the shooting was carried out by a 13-year-old boy who ended up killing 9 people. 6 children and a teacher have also been hospitalized following the shocking incident.
“I’m really sorry for everything families are going through… It’s Serbia, it never happened before… People, kids, they all have some problems… We need to take care of everybody.”
Nikola Jokic on the Belgrade shooting.
(via @NotoriousOHM)pic.twitter.com/UWBxzbvdpJ
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) May 4, 2023
“I’m really sorry about that with everything, but the family is going through you know its something that you don’t want to hear about it,” Jokic said about the incident. Nikola Jokic was in disbelief when he heard about the news. It comes as a shock to him with the incident happening in Serbia. “It’s a Serbian it’s never happened before I mean and stuff and then to be honest I was so surprised,” Jokic added.
The 2x MVP also lends a hand toward what the 13-year-old must be going through. Something must be bothering the kid which triggered him to take such extreme actions. “People, kids they all have some problems around the friends or whatever. So we need to take care of everybody,” Jokic admitted. With the shocking news, Jokic lent a helping hand at how people should ask if they are having a good day and if anything is bothering them. To make sure they are doing alright.
Luka Doncic pledges to cover the cost of funeral services and grief counseling
Nikola Jokic is not the only NBA player who belongs to Serbia. Luka Doncic, who is a Slovenian national, has roots in Serbia as well. Luka’s father, Sasha is Serbian, and many of his relatives live in Belgrade as well. Doncic has pledged to assist the victims of the mass shooting. “Through my foundation, I am exploring both immediate and long-term ways to support the students, faculty, and families affected by the shooting at the Vladislav Ribnikar Elementary School,” Doncic said.
Belgrade, I support and stand with you all during this difficult time. Through @LD77Foundation I am exploring both immediate and long-term ways to support the students, faculty, and families affected by the shooting at the Vladislav Ribnikar Elementary School.
— Luka Doncic (@luka7doncic) May 4, 2023
Doncic has agreed to pay for the funeral services, along with the cost of grief counseling for the children and staff. “My thoughts are with the families and the entire community affected by this tragedy,” Doncic continued about the affected families. According to BBC News, the motive of the shooter is still unclear, and the 13-year-old is arrested by the police. Charges are yet to be pressed against the culprit’s father as the guns were licensed under his name.
