Twelve-Year-Old Boy Shot by Stray Bullet While Hunting Squirrels in Karangasem

A twelve-year-old boy named I Made Satya from Banjar Dinas Bonyoh village, Ban hamlet, Kubu district, Karangasem, must undergo intensive medical treatment. He was referred to Professor Ngoerah General Hospital in Denpasar after being struck by a stray bullet whilst squirrel hunting on Friday, 13 March.

The head of Bonyoh hamlet, I Nyoman Seken, stated that prior to the incident, the victim had gone squirrel hunting in the local orchard alongside a neighbour named I Nengah Redana and four others.

“The victim frequently went squirrel hunting with his neighbour,” Seken said when contacted on Saturday, 14 March 2026.

During the hunt, Redana fired an air rifle at a squirrel. After shooting, he carried the rifle whilst walking, with the victim following behind at approximately 8 metres distance. Other team members spread out around the location.

However, without Redana’s knowledge, the air rifle suddenly discharged. The bullet struck the victim’s left thigh.

The victim immediately cried out in pain. He was taken home by residents before being rushed to Karangasem Regional Hospital for medical treatment.

The head of medical services at Karangasem Regional Hospital, Dr I Gusti Lanang Putu Udiyana, confirmed the presence of a child patient struck by a stray bullet who received treatment at the hospital.

According to him, the medical team even conducted surgery. However, the bullet could not be removed because of its position within the bone.

“The patient has been referred to Professor Ngoerah General Hospital in Denpasar for further treatment,” said Lanang.