Two Killers of SMPN 26 Bandung Student Face Death Penalty

Bandung - ZAAQ, a student at SMP Negeri 26 Bandung, was brutally killed at the hands of a vocational school student from Garut Regency, YA (16), and his relative, AP (17). Both suspects face the death penalty.

The 14-year-old victim was viciously murdered by suspect YA as the primary perpetrator. ZAAQ was killed at the site of the former Kampung Gajah tourist attraction in Cihideung Village, Parongpong Subdistrict, West Bandung Regency, on Monday (2/9/2026).

“The suspect first struck the victim’s head with a bottle found at the location, causing a laceration wound. The suspect then plunged a knife he had brought with him eight times into the victim’s abdomen. The suspect then left the victim still alive,” said Cimahi Police Chief AKBP Niko N Adi Putra, as reported by detikJabar on Sunday (2/15).

For their actions, both suspects have been charged under Article 80 Paragraph 3 of Law No. 35 of 2014, amending Law No. 23 of 2002 on Child Protection, and Article 459 of Law No. 1 of 2023 (Criminal Code) on premeditated murder.

“The charges carry a penalty of death, life imprisonment, or a maximum of 20 years in prison,” Niko said.

Based on preliminary investigation results, YA’s motive for killing ZAAQ was revenge over the victim ending their friendship.

“We will investigate the full details further, with certain limitations as we respect the condition of the victim’s grieving family. The point is that the victim made a statement ending the friendship, which caused the perpetrator to seek revenge and kill the victim in Bandung,” Niko said.

Niko said the relationship between the two was like siblings. Their friendship was also known to the victim’s family. ZAAQ had previously attended school in Garut but transferred to Bandung.