Man stabbed in West Jakarta goes viral; initially thought to be a mugging victim, turns out to be a dispute over a romance

In a viral video, the victim’s head is seen wounded and covered in blood. The incident is said to have occurred on Wednesday (20 May 2026) around midnight. The Head of the Criminal Investigation Unit of the Grogol Petamburan Police Sector, West Jakarta Metropolitan Police, AKP Alexander Tengbunan, confirmed that there was a stabbing. However, he stressed that the act was not a mugging but was triggered by a personal dispute. ‘There was indeed a stabbing, but not a mugging. Early indications point to a personal matter between the victim and the suspect, reportedly triggered by a romance matter,’ he told reporters on Thursday (21 May 2026). Alexander said the motive relates to a personal vendetta. The victim admitted having a personal conflict with someone believed to be the offender. ‘The alleged motive of a personal vendetta is reinforced by the victim’s statements to police shortly after the incident. The victim admitted he indeed had a personal conflict with someone believed to be the stabbing offender,’ he explained. In addition, police confirmed that no valuables belonging to the victim were missing or seized. The alleged crime of theft with violence or mugging was not found in this case. ‘Currently the victim is still undergoing medical treatment at Sumber Waras Hospital due to stab wounds to the head,’ he said. Meanwhile, based on the victim’s statements, police have identified the suspect’s identity. Police are now pursuing him to quickly resolve the case. ‘The police also urge the public not to jump to conclusions about an incident before official statements from authorities are available to avoid causing unrest in the community,’ he said. (ygs/ygs)