Slovenian basketball superstar Luka Dončić has announced he will support the victims of the Belgrade school shooting and their families through his charitable foundation. He will pay for the funerals of the eight children and one security guard who were killed in the 3 May shooting and for counselling for their families and for the affected students and staff.

Announcing the donation, the 24-year-old Dallas Mavericks point guard said on Twitter he was "heartbroken by the tragic school shooting in Serbia and the loss of lives, including those of innocent children."

"My thoughts are with the families and the entire community affected by this tragedy," Dončić said, adding that he supported and stood with the people of Belgrade during this difficult time.

The Slovenian said he was exploring both immediate and long-term ways to support the students, faculty, and families affected by the shooting at the Vladislav Ribnikar elementary school through his LD77 foundation.

"I am committed and I will continue to share updates and ways to support as details become available," he added on Twitter.

Dončić, who comes from Ljubljana, has strong ties to the Belgrade region, which is where his grandmother, aunt, uncle and cousin from the father's side live. His father Saša Dončić, a former basketball player, was born in Serbia.

The shooting shocked Slovenia, which has strong links with Serbia stemming from the times of the former Yugoslavia. There is also a large community of Serbs, their descendants and mixed families living in Slovenia.