Junior High School Student in Gresik Allegedly Shot by Stray Bullet from Indonesian Navy, Family Claims Intimidation

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com — A junior high school student in Gresik, East Java, became a victim of a stray bullet suspected to originate from a shooting exercise conducted by the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) Navy Marine Corps. The victim, Darrell Fausta Hamdani (14), a third-year student at SMPN 33 Gresik, sustained a gunshot wound to his left arm while in the school environment. The victim’s mother, Dewi Murniati, explained that the incident occurred on 17 December 2025 around 10:00 WIB. “My son was reading a brochure at the time. The event took place in the school mosque. So, he didn’t go anywhere. Suddenly, he was hit by a bullet in his left hand,” Dewi stated during a press conference in Kebon Jeruk, West Jakarta, on Thursday (2/4/2026). The bullet is believed to have come from a shooting exercise by TNI Navy personnel at the Bumi Marinir Karangpilang Shooting Range in Surabaya, approximately 2.3 kilometres from the school location. The bullet penetrated Darrell’s left arm, striking the bone and lodging in the back of his hand. “My son was hit in the bone, so a pin was installed right in the middle. His arm can’t be bent or straightened normally,” Dewi explained. Meanwhile, another bullet struck his friend, Renheart, lodging in the lower right back. The wound did not affect vital organs. Both victims were immediately rushed to Siti Khodijah Sepanjang Hospital in Sidoarjo for medical treatment. At the hospital, TNI Navy representatives met with the family and confirmed that the exercise involved four battalions: Zeni, Angmor, POM, and Taifib. “The unit apologised for the incident. The unit also stated that they will take full responsibility for the treatment and recovery of the victims until complete,” Dewi said. However, Dewi claimed that the TNI requested the matter be resolved amicably within the family and not reported or publicised. However, about 35 minutes after entering the operating room, the family was approached by a Marine representative who questioned their choice of a VIP B room for Darrell.