High School Student Status: PPPA Ministry Reveals Victim's Age in Makassar Police Shooting

Jakarta – The Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection (PPPA) said the victim of a police shooting in Makassar, South Sulawesi, was an adult male.

“The victim died when he was 18 years and 4 months old,” said Ciput Eka Purwianti, Assistant Deputy for Providing Services to Children Requiring Special Protection at the PPPA, when contacted in Jakarta on Friday, 6 March 2026.

PPPA cannot provide further assistance to the victim and his family, as the victim is not a child even though he was still enrolled in a high school.

“Given that the victim is already an adult, no further handling will be conducted,” Purwianti said.

Nevertheless, PPPA regrets the alleged careless use of firearms by police that led to the victim’s death. The victim was recorded as a Grade 12 pupil (Year 3 of senior high school) in Makassar.

So far, the Makassar City Technical Implementation Unit for the Protection of Women and Children (UPTD PPA) has carried out initial outreach to the victim’s home, but could not meet the family because they are in mourning.

The victim was known to have lived with his biological father, as well as the paternal grandfather and grandmother. The parents of the victim are divorced.

Previously, a male adolescent with initials BEP died after being shot by Iptu N, a police officer of the Panakkukang Police Sector, Makassar, South Sulawesi, on Sunday 1 March 2026.

Initially, police received reports of a group of youths playing ‘war games’ using toy rifles in Panakkukang.

The report stated that the youths’ actions disrupted road users.

Iptu N then went to the location, fired a warning shot to disperse the crowd, and attempted to secure the victim. However, the victim resisted and attempted to flee.

At that moment, the officer’s gun discharged accidentally and struck the victim.

The victim was immediately transported to Grestelina Hospital. But due to limited medical equipment, the victim was referred to Bhayangkara Makassar Hospital.

Sadly, the victim died en route. At present, Iptu N has been named a suspect. (Ant)