Makassar Police Take Action After Teenager Dies in Toy Gun Battle

Makassar, VIVA - Players engaging in shootouts using plastic weapons in Makassar were acted upon by police. This was disclosed by the Makassar City Police Chief, Senior Commissioner of Police Arya Perdana.

‘If similar incidents occur again, according to procedure we will disperse them, steer them away, and if necessary seize the weapons,’ he said on Thursday, 5 March 2026.

Arya said that the Omega-brand plastic weapons were originally used by children for play. However, the toy weapons’ development has gone viral to the extent that teenagers use them for war games. The bullets used can cause injury even though they are jelly-based.

‘The Omega bullets are gel or jelly; if then dipped in water they swell, and when fired they hurt enough at a distance of 3-5 metres. Yesterday there were women who were hit in the eye, and children were hit in the eye to the extent that they had to be bandaged,’ he said.

He urged the public not to play with these toy weapons, unless there is a designated place or competition. But if they play on the streets to the extent that it harms residents and disrupts public order, then they will certainly be actioned against.

‘This is very regrettable; it will have repercussions not only in terms of accidents or injuries or perhaps even death, but there are also criminal consequences when it harms others,’ he said.

On the other hand, police faced a dilemma: whether to disperse when they are engaged in shooting at each other, or to take firm and measured action given the legal consequences.

Following the incident involving officer Iptu N, who was dispersing the war games on Toddopuli Road, after giving a warning shot into the air, while securing a young man involved in the war game for obstructing road users, his pistol inadvertently discharged into the back of the victim, resulting in death.

In addition, he said they have coordinated with Makassar Mayor Munafri Arifuddin regarding the sale of these toy weapons, which has become a problem due to their unrestricted distribution.

‘The Mayor, God willing, has promised to enact a Perwali on Omega weapons to ensure that no one uses these weapons freely to disrupt public order and safety,’ he said.