Indonesian Navy Clarifies Stray Bullet Incident Involving SMP Student in Gresik: No Intimidation, Mediation Deadlocked
JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – The Indonesian Navy (TNI AL) has responded to allegations made by Dewi Murniati, the mother of a student from SMPN 33 Gresik who was a victim in the stray bullet incident in December 2025.
Commander of the 2nd Combat Support Regiment of the Marines, Ahmad Fauzi, has refuted several claims, including those regarding alleged intimidation at the hospital, which he deemed inappropriate.
In his official statement, Fauzi expressed sympathy and empathy for the misfortune that befell the two students. However, he emphasised that the origin of the bullet is still under investigation.
Regarding Dewi Murniati’s account of feeling shouted at and intimidated by a Marine officer of major rank to hand over the bullet projectile after the operation, Fauzi denied the matter.
“We emphasise that there has never been any intimidating action towards the victim’s family. The presence of the officer in question was solely for the purpose of technical deepening related to the projectile, and the communication was conducted in an open situation without pressure. We greatly respect the rights and dignity of the victim’s family,” said Fauzi.
The Navy also confirmed that it has funded all of the victim’s medical treatment at Siti Khodijah Hospital. The assistance covers the operation to remove the projectile, care during the operation, follow-up checks, and compensation to the family.
“Meanwhile, my child has had six check-ups in total, but only one was covered. The rest I paid for myself, including consultation fees to a psychologist due to trauma,” Dewi told Kompas.com.
The Marines also clarified allegations that they were not serious in the mediation process, which has been conducted several times, namely on 7 January, 14 January, and 19 February 2026.
Fauzi claimed that initially, the mediation proceeded smoothly to be resolved in a familial manner.
However, the process became deadlocked because the victim’s side submitted compensation demands that were deemed unreasonable.
He stated that the total material and immaterial compensation demands for the two victims amounted to Rp 3.3 billion.
“The mediation process did not proceed as expected because the victim’s side submitted material and immaterial demands in the form of a sum of money that we consider improper and unjust,” said Fauzi.