Machete, axe wielding man runs amok

Police have arrested Zeljko Ajder, 31, after he attacked passers-by with an axe and two machetes in New Belgrade. The incident, which included officers shooting and injuring the assailant in the thigh, occurred at around 11:00 CET. Machete, axe wielding man runs amok A woman who happened to be on the street at the time was also lightly injured by Ajder during the chase. The incident started this morning in front of Ajder’s apartment in New Belgrade, where he, while watering flowers in front of the building, deliberately sprinkled policemen passing by, with water. Officers then asked for his ID. But Ajder refused and went inside his apartment, from where he emerged carrying two machetes and an axe. He then ran out into the street past the policemen, and began chasing passers-by attempting to hurt them. Police managed to catch up with him in another street, ordering him to throw the weapons down. After Ajder refused, officers fired two warning shots in the air. But when the assailant continued to run, this time toward a nearby kindergarten yard where children were playing at the time, one of the policemen fired and shot Ajder in the thigh. Wounded, he collapsed in the playground only 50 meters away from the kindergarten. He was arrested at the scene and transferred to the Emergency Center. Neighbors today described Ajder as "a strange young man", but added that he "never caused them any trouble". Police recovered the two machetes and the axe at the scene where Ajder was shot. Seven officers took part in the chase, while police claim that they acted efficiently, preventing a serious tragedy.

Machete, axe wielding man runs amok

A woman who happened to be on the street at the time was also lightly injured by Ajder during the chase.

The incident started this morning in front of Ajder’s apartment in New Belgrade, where he, while watering flowers in front of the building, deliberately sprinkled policemen passing by, with water.

Officers then asked for his ID.

But Ajder refused and went inside his apartment, from where he emerged carrying two machetes and an axe.

He then ran out into the street past the policemen, and began chasing passers-by attempting to hurt them.

Police managed to catch up with him in another street, ordering him to throw the weapons down.

After Ajder refused, officers fired two warning shots in the air. But when the assailant continued to run, this time toward a nearby kindergarten yard where children were playing at the time, one of the policemen fired and shot Ajder in the thigh.

Wounded, he collapsed in the playground only 50 meters away from the kindergarten.

He was arrested at the scene and transferred to the Emergency Center.

Neighbors today described Ajder as "a strange young man", but added that he "never caused them any trouble".

Police recovered the two machetes and the axe at the scene where Ajder was shot. Seven officers took part in the chase, while police claim that they acted efficiently, preventing a serious tragedy.