Facts about Junior High School Student in Riau Killed by Homemade Rifle
A junior high school student in Siak, Riau, died on Wednesday, 8 April 2026, due to the explosion of a homemade three-dimensional rifle. The rifle was made by the victim, initialled MA (15 years old), for a practical exam.
Here are the facts surrounding the incident that killed the ninth-grade student at SMP Sains Tahfizh Islamic Center Siak.
- Chronology of the Incident
The Head of Criminal Investigation Unit of Siak Police Sector, Ajun Commissioner Raja Kosmos Parmulais, revealed that the homemade rifle explosion occurred while the victim was taking a practical exam at school. The victim made the homemade three-dimensional rifle as a group project.
Before the incident, the victim asked his friends to stay away. Kosmos said the other group members were suspected of not understanding how the homemade weapon worked.
When the shot was fired, he explained, the homemade rifle suddenly exploded. The homemade rifle then emitted smoke, followed by the scattering of several materials from the explosion.
“Fragments of the homemade rifle scattered hitting the school hall, classroom walls, and the victim’s head,” said Kosmos, as reported by Antara on Thursday, 9 April 2026.
- Homemade Rifle Explodes While Victim Demonstrates Usage
The Head of Public Relations Division of Riau Regional Police, Senior Commissioner Zahwani Pandra Arsyad, said the homemade rifle exploded when the victim was demonstrating the use of the weapon in front of the teacher. A small ball inside the homemade rifle injured the victim’s head.
“It penetrated to the back of the head and caused bleeding,” Pandra said on Friday, 10 April 2026.
Police have conducted a crime scene examination following the incident. During the activity, pieces of iron, black powder from the remnants of the exploded rifle, and plastic parts were found. These findings have been sent to the forensic laboratory for further processing.
- Victim Dies En Route to Hospital
The Head of Public Relations Division of Riau Regional Police, Senior Commissioner Zahwani Pandra Arsyad, said the victim was rushed to the Siak Regional General Hospital in Riau after the homemade rifle explosion incident. However, he stated that the student’s life could not be saved by doctors. “The medical team estimated he had already died during the journey,” Pandra said.
- DPR Highlights Potential Legal Violations
Member of Commission III of the House of Representatives (DPR) Abdullah opined that there are indications of negligence in the homemade rifle explosion incident made by a junior high school student in Riau. According to him, it is possible that there are legal violations in the school’s learning practices.
Abdullah highlighted indications of violations against Emergency Law Number 12 of 1951 on Firearms. “The law stipulates that anyone who without right makes, possesses, and stores firearms can be subject to severe penalties,” he said in his statement, quoted on Sunday, 12 April 2026.
He said the death of the junior high school student in the homemade rifle explosion incident also has the potential to violate Article 474 of Law Number 1 of 2023 on the Criminal Code. The provision states that anyone who due to negligence causes the death of another person can be sentenced to a maximum of five years in prison.
“I see the school as the party most responsible for this case,” said this National Awakening Party politician.
However, Abdullah said a thorough investigation and prosecution process must be carried out by the police. Moreover, the homemade rifle made by the junior high school student is suspected to fall into the category of homemade firearms because it contains plastic, metal, and explosive material components.
He said the making of the homemade rifle should not have occurred in a school environment. “This shows the weakness of the learning supervision system that should protect students,” Abdullah said.