Uproar Over Gresik Middle School Student Hit by Stray Bullet from Marine, Indonesian Navy Responds

The Indonesian Navy, through its Marine Corps, has responded to the alleged incident of a stray bullet striking a student at SMPN 33 in Gresik, East Java, identified as DFH (14). DFH was previously suspected to be a victim of a stray bullet originating from a TNI AL Marine Corps shooting exercise. The incident occurred while DFH and other students were participating in a socialisation activity inside the school mosque on 17 December 2025 around 10:00 WIB. The bullet is believed to have come from a shooting drill by TNI AL personnel at the Bumi Marinir Karangpilang Shooting Range in Surabaya, approximately 2.3 kilometres from the victims’ school. The bullet reportedly pierced DFH’s left arm, damaging the bone and lodging in the back of his hand. Meanwhile, another bullet struck his friend, R, and lodged in the lower right back. The two victims were immediately rushed to Siti Khodijah Hospital in Sepanjang, Sidoarjo, for medical treatment. At the hospital, TNI AL representatives met with the families and confirmed that the exercise involved four battalions: Zeni, Angmor, POM, and Taifib. Legal Officer of the 2nd Combat Support Regiment (Menbanpur), Major Ahmad Fauzi, emphasised that his unit had taken swift action upon receiving information about the mishap, although the projectile’s origin is still under investigation. The TNI AL apologised, but the victims’ side claimed to have experienced a series of alleged intimidations. “We need to explain and emphasise that upon receiving information about the incident, the unit quickly coordinated and conducted field investigations, visiting the school location and ensuring the two victims received medical treatment,” said Major Ahmad Fauzi, Legal Officer of the 2nd Combat Support Regiment, in an official video statement on Friday (3/4). “Although it cannot yet be confirmed that the bullet came from the Corps. Further investigation and probing are still needed,” he added. In his statement, Ahmad Fauzi also claimed that the unit has taken full responsibility for the victims’ medical needs, including funding the projectile removal surgery at Siti Khadijah Hospital, recovery care, and providing compensation to the families. “The unit has provided treatment at Siti Khadijah Hospital, covering the entire cost of the projectile removal surgery, care during the operation and follow-up checks. And providing compensation to the families,” he said. Ahmad Fauzi then addressed several objections from the victims’ families, including demands for substantial material and immaterial compensation. His side claimed that the amount requested by the complainants through their legal representatives was not based on reasonable principles. “The mediation process did not proceed as expected because the victims’ side demanded material and immaterial compensation in the form of a sum of money that we consider unreasonable and unjust. In the first summons, we responded on 28 January. The demand for material and immaterial compensation totals Rp3,375,000,000 for both victims,” he said. In addition to compensation issues, Ahmad Fauzi denied allegations of intimidation by Marine officers against the victims’ families. He explained that the presence of personnel at the hospital during the victims’ treatment was to investigate technical aspects of the projectile and was conducted in open communication. “We emphasise that there has never been any intimidatory action against the victims’ families. The presence of the mentioned officers was solely for the purpose of technical probing related to the projectile, and communication was carried out in an open situation without pressure. We greatly respect the rights and dignity of the victims’ families,” he stated. To date, Fauzi affirmed that the TNI AL remains open to dialogue with the victims’ families. Fauzi also revealed that one of the parents of the other victim, R, has agreed to pursue a familial resolution. “The Marine Corps does not wait for it to go viral to act. If there is wrongdoing, it will be addressed. If there is injury, it will be healed. If there is truth, it will be upheld. We invite all parties to keep the atmosphere calm and not build opinions before the process is complete,” he said. Previously reported by several media outlets, the mother of victim DFH explained that due to the stray bullet, her child’s arm could no longer be bent or straightened normally. The victim’s mother claimed to have experienced pressure during her child’s hospital treatment. One of them concerned the treatment room, where she claimed the TNI directed that the victim receive maximum service. Then regarding officers who came to the hospital and requested the removed bullet. That request was reportedly rejected by the victim’s family to wait until the stray bullet issue is resolved. The mediation between the victims’ families and TNI AL regarding compensation, previously held, also reached a deadlock. The victim’s mother was also reportedly asked to make a video apology. In response to what happened, the victims’ families also reported to the Naval Military Police (POMAL).