119 Marine Troops Personnel Examined Over Stray Bullet Incident Involving Gresik Junior High Student

Commander of Marine Troops (Pasmar) 2, Major General TNI (Mar) Oni Junianto, has emphasised that his unit is continuing its investigation into the stray bullet incident that struck two junior high school students in Gresik Regency, East Java. At least 119 personnel are currently being examined.

Oni stated that the legal process has been fully handed over to the Naval Military Police of the Navy Regional Command (Pomal Kodaeral). He assured that all examination stages are being conducted transparently and in accordance with applicable procedures, with nothing being concealed.

“Yes, this is now being examined; there are 119 who will continue to be examined,” said Oni when met in Surabaya on Sunday (12/4).

In addition to the internal examination, the Marines will also conduct ballistic tests to obtain accurate technical data on the ammunition’s range.

The ammunition fired during the training at that time had a calibre of 5.56 millimetres. Oni noted that the projectile’s specifications have an effective firing range of 400 metres, weakening up to 1,600 metres.

Meanwhile, the location of the TNI AL troops’ shooting training at the Bumi Marinir Karangpilang Shooting Range in Surabaya is approximately 2.3 kilometres from the victims’ school.

“If according to the specs, the effective firing range is only 400 metres; when on the trajectory from the test results, the bullet fired straight will fall at 1,600 metres; it will weaken and fall,” he said.

He stated that this shooting test is important to determine how far the bullet would travel, considering that thousands of ammunition rounds fired at the same location have previously claimed no similar issues.

“It will be carried out, not just forensic testing but also weapon testing, to see how far this shot will fall, so this not only answers as legal facts but also as technical information,” he said.

In addition to the internal examination, the Marines also plan to involve experts from PT Pindad to obtain accurate technical data on the ammunition’s range.

“Well, then we will request technical data from Pindad as well to strengthen that test so that we don’t take arbitrary data; it will really be accurate,” he said.

Regarding the shooting range, Oni explained that historically, the land was initially a sterile area. However, over time, the growth of residential settlements around the military area is unavoidable.

His side is now evaluating the safety aspects of the location following the incident. Although he claimed that the shooting range already meets international standards and has an eight-metre-high embankment.

“We are not staying idle, because behind it there is the community, even though behind us there is an embankment with a height of eight metres and there is a hill,” he said.

Oni reaffirmed his commitment to thoroughly investigating any potential procedural violations in the incident. He assured that he will not tolerate any negligence by the troops if violations are found.

“We are also finding out if there is any SOP that was violated; as their leader, if there is an SOP error, a rule violation, we will punish,” he stressed.

Regarding the victims’ condition, Oni stated that his side has taken responsibility for the medical costs and provided compensation since the incident occurred. They are also ready to provide opportunities if the victims wish to become TNI members in the future.

Nevertheless, in response to any summons or legal demands from the victims’ families, Oni emphasised that he will not obstruct the process as a form of the institution’s openness.

“If Budi Dewi (the victim’s family) still demands a legal process, we allow it; there is nothing we hinder or conceal. No mutual claiming, it’s fine,” he concluded.

Previously, two students from SMPN 33 Gresik, East Java, namely Darrell Fausta Hamdani (14) and Reinhart Okto Hanaya (15), became victims of a stray bullet suspected to originate from TNI AL Marine Corps shooting training.

The incident occurred while the victims were participating in a socialisation activity in the school mosque with other students on 17 December 2025 around 10:00 WIB.

The bullet is suspected to have come from the TNI AL troops’ shooting training at the Bumi Marinir Karangpilang Shooting Range in Surabaya, which is about 2.3 kilometres from the school.

The bullet pierced Darrell’s left arm, hitting the bone and lodging in the back of his hand. Meanwhile, another bullet also struck Reinhart and lodged in the lower right back.

Both victims were immediately rushed to RS Siti Khodijah Sepanjang in Sidoarjo for medical treatment. At the hospital, TNI AL representatives met the families and confirmed that the training involved four battalions: Zeni, Angmor, POM, and Taifib.

The TNI AL initially provided assistance. However, the victims’ families later claimed to have experienced a series of alleged intimidation.

Several mediation efforts failed. Darrell’s family then issued a summons detailing material compensation of Rp 300 million and immaterial compensation of Rp 1.5 billion.

They also submitted six points of demands, including an official apology, guarantees for medical and psychological recovery costs, and long-term compensation.