Two Killers of Junior High Student at Former Kampung Gajah Site Had Fled to Tasikmalaya

Jakarta — YA (16) and AP (17) were apprehended without resistance by the Mobile Crime Unit of Cimahi Police at their residence in Banyuresmi District, Garut Regency, in the early hours of Sunday (15/2/2026). The pair had briefly fled to Tasikmalaya before returning to Garut.

YA and AP are the perpetrators behind the murder of ZAAQ, a student at SMPN 26 Bandung, whose body was discovered on the grounds of the former Kampung Gajah tourist attraction in Cihideung Village, Parongpong District, West Bandung Regency, on Friday (13/2/2026).

“In connection with the discovery of the body at the former Kampung Gajah site, we have apprehended the perpetrators. There are two individuals, both of whom are also minors. We apprehended them in Garut,” said Cimahi Police Chief AKBP Niko N. Adi Putra on Monday (16/2/2026).

The two suspects returned to Garut after taking ZAAQ’s life on Monday (9/2). ZAAQ died from eight stab wounds to the abdomen and a laceration to the head caused by a blunt object.

After killing the 14-year-old, YA and AP decided to return home to Garut. However, before being apprehended, the two perpetrators had initially fled to Tasikmalaya before eventually returning to Garut.

“There was a time gap before the victim’s body was discovered, as the victim was killed on Monday (9/2). They then went home to Garut, stopping at a petrol station along the way,” said Niko.

The murder committed by YA and AP was found to have been premeditated. This was because YA harboured resentment towards the victim, who had ended their friendship. YA then travelled from Garut on Monday morning to confront ZAAQ.