The Case of the TNI Soldier Shot Dead by Colleague in Palembang Cafe, Triggered by Personal Dispute

The Military Police of the Kodam II/Sriwijaya Regional Command has arrested the suspects involved in the shooting that killed an Indonesian Army soldier at the Pan Head Cafe, Palembang, in the early hours of Saturday, 16 May 2026.

Kapendam Kodam II/Sriwijaya, Lieutenant Colonel Inf Yordania, stated in a written report on Monday that the victim was identified as Ferischal Alfarizky Abelsa, a soldier from the Palembang Denkesyah Kesdam II/Swj, who died from gunshot wounds. The Military Police managed to apprehend the suspects within 24 hours of the incident. Two individuals have been named as suspects: Sergeant MRN and a civilian identified by the initials DS.

‘Suspect Sergeant MRN was arrested while in the parking area of Bhayangkara Hospital. The perpetrator and witnesses are currently being held at Madenpom II/4 for further investigation,’ he said.

Regarding the chronology, the officer explained that the incident began around 02:30 WIB when the victim and the suspect were at the entertainment venue. A verbal altercation broke out, triggered by personal issues, which escalated into a physical fight. Feeling cornered, Sergeant MRN allegedly used a homemade improvised firearm, resembling a lighter, to fire a shot that struck the victim.

The victim was rushed to Permata Palembang Hospital for medical treatment; however, he was pronounced dead by the duty doctor at 03:45 WIB. Following the incident, the Denpom II/4 Palembang unit immediately conducted a crime scene investigation, examined 21 witnesses, secured CCTV footage, and coordinated with Bhayangkara Hospital Palembang for an autopsy.

‘The autopsy results show that the victim died due to a gunshot wound in the lower right abdomen, which pierced vital organs and caused heavy bleeding,’ the officer added. The bullet projectile has been removed from the victim’s body, and officials are currently awaiting ballistic test results from the South Sumatra Regional Police Laboratory. The improvised firearm used in the attack was discovered at the residence of the civilian suspect, DS, in the Srimulya area of Palembang on Saturday night.