Police arrest suspect in fatal teenage duel in North Jakarta

The Cilincing Police, together with a joint team from the Resmob and Jatanras units of the North Jakarta Metro Police, have arrested a suspect with the initials IPS (14) who engaged in a fatal duel between teenagers that resulted in the victim, WS (16), suffering a slash wound and dying in the early hours of Friday. “The tragic incident occurred on Jalan Kalibaru Timur, Cilincing District, on Friday at 00.15 WIB, resulting in the death of a student with the initials WS (16),” said Cilincing Police Chief AKP Bobi Subasri in Jakarta on Friday. He stated that the victim was an eighth-grade student who sustained a slash wound to the base of his left thigh. The victim was taken to Cilincing Regional General Hospital by his friends. However, based on the examination by the doctor on duty, the victim was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital. According to the police investigation, the duel stemmed from mutual insults exchanged between the victim and the perpetrator via social media several days before the duel took place. The two then agreed to meet and engage in a one-on-one duel at the location. The Criminal Investigation Unit of Cilincing Police, led by the Criminal Investigation Unit Head, moved swiftly to conduct an investigation and successfully apprehended the suspected perpetrator, IPS (14), in the Kalibaru area, Cilincing. Officers seized several pieces of evidence from the perpetrator, including a sickle with its sheath and a green jacket. “Also a pair of black trousers, and a video recording showing the slashing attack on the victim,” said Bobi. Bobi added that solving this case demonstrates the seriousness of the Indonesian National Police in taking action against any acts of violence that threaten public safety, particularly those involving children and teenagers. His team acted quickly to investigate after receiving the incident report, and the perpetrator was apprehended along with evidence related to the criminal act. “Currently, the investigation process is still being carried out professionally and in accordance with applicable legal provisions,” stated Bobi. He also urged parents to increase supervision of their children’s activities, including the use of social media, which often triggers conflicts among teenagers. The Cilincing Police also requested that the public immediately report any potential disturbances to public safety and order or criminal acts through the emergency line 110 or the nearest police station. Bobi further called on all parents, schools, community leaders, and the surrounding environment to jointly supervise and guide children. “Do not let disputes that start on social media end in violence that takes a life,” Bobi said.