Man shot dead during bar brawl

Man shot dead during bar brawl

JAKARTA (JP): A man was fatally shot by a police officer, who
was beaten up when he tried to disperse an angry crowd at Bar MW
on Jl. Tubagus Angke, West Jakarta, early Saturday morning,
Jakarta Military Police Commander Col. Hendardji said.

He said on Saturday that Yudi, alias Rasiding, 31, believed to
be a customer at the bar, was shot in the chest. He was rushed to
Atmajaya Hospital in Pluit, North Jakarta, but was announced dead
on arrival.

"As he did not survive, his body was sent to Cipto
Mangunkusumo General Hospital for a postmortem examination," he
said.

According to Hendardji, the fight was sparked by a group of
regular customers who call themselves Sakerah.

"Apparently the Sakerah members got angry over other patrons'
constant requests for songs from the dangdut music band and how
they showered the singers with money, sometimes physically
picking up a singer on stage.

"Then a customer threw a beer bottle at the stage and people
started fighting," he said.

Windows, furniture, garden pots and band equipment were
damaged during the brawl, prompting customers and entertainers to
flee the scene.

The bar employees then reported the incident, which took place
at 2:30 a.m., to Tanjung Duren Police subprecint officers, who
rushed to the scene.

"Witnesses said they heard gunshots and then found Yudi lying
down, wounded," Hendardji said.

Military police have questioned four witnesses so far.

A reliable source identified the police officer who shot the
victim as Second Lt. Suradi, who reportedly fired warning shots
while he was being attacked by the crowd.

The place was temporary sealed off by the police, pending
further investigation.

The bar had apparently reopened a month ago after its closure
in May, when it was looted and torched during the riots. (edt)