Man shot dead for stealing bird

JAKARTA (JP): A military officer shot dead a 21-year-old man yesterday for allegedly trying to steal a bird from its cage on the terrace of his home.

Jakarta Military Command spokesman Lt. Col. DJ. Nachrowi said the shooting took place in Cijantung military complex, East Jakarta, at the home of Chief Sgt. Ridwan.

Nachrowi declined to give details of where Ridwan was assigned or which branch of the Armed Forces he was in.

The East Jakarta Police identified the dead man as Dean Martin Suryapraja, 21, of Jl. Kali Sari, Pasar Rebo district, East Jakarta.

They said Dean died from a single shot to the neck. Police did not disclose the gun type or bullet caliber used in the incident.

Lt. Col. Nachrowi defended the shooting, claiming that Ridwan had acted in self-defense. He said Ridwan had not been detained.

"He is now working as usual, but his report is being investigated," he said.

He said Ridwan reported the shooting to his superior and to the military police.

He said further investigation would determine whether Ridwan had shot Dean in self-defense and whether correct procedures in relation to shooting suspects had been followed.

Nachrowi said Ridwan would be punished if he was proven of any wrongdoing.

Nachrowi said Ridwan claimed he fired a warning shot, but he had to shoot Dean after he threatened him with a sharp weapon.

Nachrowi said a sickle believed to be Dean's was found on the terrace of Ridwan's house on Jl. Swadaya. The sickle and the bird were seized as evidence.

"It was a reasonable and spontaneous reaction. He took aim at the suspect because the suspect kept attacking him even after he fired a warning shot," he said.

"In my opinion, he reacted quickly and professionally in handling a critical situation in which his life was at stake," Nachrowi said.

He said nobody wanted another officer to die at the hands of a suspect, especially if an officer's life was in great danger.

In Pondok Gede, East Jakarta, a military officer, Chief Sgt. Ahmat Tohir, was stabbed to death last week while trying to solve a dispute between two groups of market laborers . Police are still searching for his killer. (cst)