Tangerang Stabbing Suspect Mentally Unstable, Struggles to Communicate, Police Say
Police are conducting a psychiatric observation of a man with the initials KM, who carried out random stabbings against several victims in the Cibodas area of Tangerang City. Investigators found the suspect’s psychological condition to be unstable when they attempted to question him.
“We only have statements from the family and the victims so far. We tried to question the suspect yesterday, but his condition was not stable,” said Jatiuwung Police Chief Kompol Kresna Ajie Perkasa on Wednesday (15/7/2026).
The suspect’s family informed the police that he has been difficult to communicate with for the past six years. Consequently, the police decided to transfer the suspect for psychiatric observation. “His condition is unstable. The family also stated that for the past six years, he has been difficult to communicate with. We have therefore suspended his detention and transferred him to the Police Hospital for observation,” he explained.
The family also revealed why the suspect frequently carried a sharp knife whenever he left the house. According to the family, the suspect always felt paranoid or excessively fearful when he accidentally made eye contact with others. “So, whenever he left the house on his motorbike, he would always carry a knife in his left hand. Based on the information we received, he always felt threatened. If he saw someone and made eye contact, he would immediately feel threatened,” Ajie clarified.
Police are still investigating the motive behind the attacks. The suspect remains under special medical supervision. “As for the motive, we are still looking into it. We are still investigating and also waiting for the results of the hospital examination,” Ajie stated. Police are currently awaiting the official medical records from the psychiatric team. “We are still waiting for the doctor’s decision, what the medical verdict is. However, regarding the suspect’s legal status, we have already named him a suspect. Because he is a suspect, we have suspended his detention and transferred him to the hospital,” he concluded.