Makassar City Police Secure Officer and Weapon in Teenager Shot Case

An 18-year-old named Bertrand Eka Prasetyo (18) died after reportedly being shot by a police officer who dispersed a brawl using toy guns with gel ammunition in Makassar, South Sulawesi. Fights or clashes using toy weapons with gel ammunition have emerged as a new phenomenon among youths in Makassar. Makassar Police Chief Kombes Pol Arya Perdana said the officer believed to have fired at the victim is under internal investigation. He said immediate steps were taken after the incident on Sunday (1 March). Iptu N, as the perpetrator and the weapon, have been secured by internal police investigators. ‘What we did at the time was to secure Iptu N, conduct on-site investigations that day, and confiscate the weapon,’ Arya told reporters on Wednesday (4 March). In addition to detaining the officer and the firearm, he said, authorities also immediately carried out a scene examination at the location. ‘The Head of Criminal Investigation Unit, the Propam head, and the Propam section head conducted on-site checks at the scene. As for the body, autopsy was pending because another victim was undergoing autopsy at the time. We conducted a scene examination and the investigation began immediately,’ he explained. He said, based on initial information, the victim died as a result of injuries from the discharge of the officer’s weapon, which was not anticipated, causing heavy bleeding. ‘What we know is that the victim indeed died from injuries caused by the discharge of a weapon that was not predicted by Iptu N,’ he added. The body has been buried after an autopsy; police say they have met with the family to convey developments in handling the case. ‘We have also met with the family. If anyone says this is being hushed up, it is not. After the autopsy, the body was taken to the funeral home,’ he added. The Makassar Police Chief assured the investigative process would proceed transparently and professionally, including examinations of any involved personnel. Earlier, Arya explained that the incident began when police were patrolling after Subuh prayers to prevent Kamtibmas disruption during Ramadan. Police received information about a brawl on Jalan Toddopuli Raya, Panakkukang district, Makassar. On arrival, there were dozens of youths causing disturbances with gel weapons or gel ammunition. When officers attempted to disperse the brawl, the victim allegedly behaved indecently toward a passer-by, so officers moved to detain him. The officer reportedly fired into the air once, causing the brawl participants to disperse. But as the victim was restrained, he resisted. ‘The gun discharged and hit the buttocks,’ he stated. LBH Makassar calls for disciplinary and criminal action. The organisation states that such violence and shooting reflect structural issues within Polri, including a violent culture, weak internal oversight, and impunity, and should be addressed through ethical and criminal channels. LBH Makassar notes that the incident occurred on Jalan Toddopuli Raya on Sunday morning around 07:20 local time in Panakkukang district. ‘As we understand, the alleged perpetrator is an IPTU, which tests how seriously Polri adheres to the Penal Code and the Criminal Procedure Code. LBH Makassar will support enforcement of the law against those suspected of crimes but in proportionate action,’ the statement said. LBH Makassar asserts the firearms usage rules by officers are clear: police may only use firearms proportionally as a last resort after all non-violent steps have been taken, and by prioritising public safety. The incident indicates that such prerequisites were not met, constituting an offence against the law that must be criminally and ethically accountable. ‘We urge the perpetrator to be suspended immediately and processed via criminal and ethical mechanisms, and to ensure that such incidents do not recur,’ Ansar added. LBH Makassar also offers the victim’s family assistance to ensure the pursuit of justice continues beyond ethical matters, including criminal proceedings and ensuring the rights of the victim and/or family to justice and redress.