Autopsy Reveals Bullet Lodged in Heart of Student Shot by Friend in Southwest Sumba

Forensic team from Titus Uly Bhayangkara Hospital in Kupang conducted an autopsy on the body of 24-year-old student Mario Marselina Kura in Southwest Sumba Regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), on Sunday (31 May). The examination revealed an air rifle bullet lodged in the victim’s heart. “The autopsy found one bullet lodged in the victim’s heart,” said Southwest Sumba Regency Police CID Chief Iptu Yakobus Kokleo Sanam to detikBali on Monday (1 June 2026). Yakobus explained the autopsy was conducted at approximately 09:47 WITA by NTT Provincial Police forensic doctor Edwin Tambunan and his team. He stated the full findings await the official forensic report to be submitted to the Southwest Sumba Regency Police Criminal Investigation Unit for inclusion in the case file. “However, the bullet has already been secured by investigators as evidence. The autopsy was carried out smoothly and without incident,” Yakobus added. Previously reported, 24-year-old Mario Marselina Kura died after being shot by his friend Alexander Bili Kandu, 20, using an air rifle. Prior to the incident, the victim was said to have jokingly asked to be shot. The incident occurred in Weepangali Village, Kota Tambolaka Subdistrict, Southwest Sumba Regency, East Nusa Tenggara, around 16:00 WITA on Friday (22 May). Mario was an active student at Stella Maris University in Southwest Sumba. “This is a criminal case involving the misuse of an air rifle resulting in the victim’s death,” said Southwest Sumba Regency Police CID Chief Iptu Yakobus Sanam, when contacted by detikBali from Kupang, NTT, on Saturday (23 May 2026). Yakobus revealed Alexander had come to Mario’s stall with an air rifle to buy cigarettes. At the scene, Alexander was served by the victim’s younger brother, Antonio Moru Kodu, 10. After shopping, Mario jokingly told Alexander to shoot him. Shortly after, Alexander cocked the air rifle and fired a bullet into Mario’s right chest, causing him to fall to the ground. “The victim initially made a joking remark saying ‘try shooting me in the chest’, after which the perpetrator immediately fired, causing him to fall to the ground,” Yakobus stated.