Kompolnas: Penetrating Gunshot Wounds Detected in Makassar Teen's Body
Member of the National Police Commission (Kompolnas), Choirul Anam, has confirmed that Betrand Eka Prasetyo (18) died after being shot by the firearm of Iptu N while dispersing a riot involving toy weapons with jelly pellets in Makassar, South Sulawesi.
“There were gunshot injuries; the bullet entered and exited, and there were no facial bruises either,” Choirul said in Makassar on Thursday (5/3).
Anam explained that medically there is a difference between a bruise and a contusion. If a corpse shows bruising, he noted, that indicates several hours have passed since death.
“We are confident; we examined the intact corpse, and we also received information from the doctor that there are no bruises and no injuries, meaning there was only a gunshot wound on the victim’s body,” he said.
According to the forensic doctor’s statement, Anam said, the authorities have confirmed there are no bruises or injuries from violence on the victim’s body, only gunshot wounds.
“That is important to determine whether the corpse has other injuries or gunshot wounds. So far, as we have it, there are only gunshot wounds,” he explained.
Choirul said the victim’s family has asked Kompolnas to ensure the case is handled and resolved transparently.
“Yesterday we also met with the family; they hope the law enforcement process continues, and that has been addressed, including by maintaining the legal process, because the status is already that a suspect,” he said.
Riotous demonstration
The student protest related to Betrand’s death (18) after being shot by Iptu N in front of Universitas Negeri Makassar (UNM) ended in clashes with online motorcycle taxi drivers.
CNNIndonesia.com’s footage at the scene showed the clash being sparked when several students protested on Jalan AP Pettarani, lighting tyres and blocking the road, causing long traffic delays ahead of breaking fast time.
“Earlier there was a protest with students from UNM in front, then burning tyres, then people moved on. People want to break their fast, to perform tarawih, but because it disturbed the community, an ojol driver also passed by,” said Makassar City Police Chief, Kombes Arya Perdana, on Thursday (5/3).
However, Arya said that one motorbike belonging to an online rider became the target of vandalism while passing the scene, prompting several other ojol drivers to attack the protesters and eventually enter the UNM campus.
“Coincidentally, when the ojol passed, there was a misunderstanding that led to damage to the motorbike. This prompted solidarity from the ojol friends here,” he added.
TNI troops with police arrived at the scene to secure the area and persuade the ojol drivers to leave the UNM campus.
“As for the victim, I don’t fully understand yet; I wasn’t aware of the exact events, but the motorbike was damaged,” he said.
The situation outside the UNM campus after the clash between students and online motorcycle taxi drivers remains tense, with some ojol protesters still present and police maintaining security.