Despite firearms-related crimes being relatively uncommon in Indonesia, mainly due to the government’s strict gun control laws, the Greater Jakarta Area has seen two fatal shootings in the past week.
The victim of latest shooting was a 23-year-old woman named Italia Chandra Kirana Putri in Karawaci, Tangerang. Yesterday, Italia spotted two people stealing her motorcycle, which was parked in front of her house, and tried to prevent the robbery by chasing them with a broom. Tragically, one of the robbers shot her in the chest before speeding away on the motorcycle.
Italia passed away shortly afterwards on her way to a hospital.
Italia’s death came just three days after 31-year-old Davidson Tantono was fatally shot in the head while he was at a gas station in Daan Mogot, West Jakarta. This case is thought to have been a well-planned robbery as Davidson had been carrying Rp 300 million (US$ 22,000) in cash belonging to inventors in his business.
The police are still investigating both shootings. The perpetrators in both cases have not yet been identified.
As to how the perpetrators managed to obtain guns, the National Police believe the most likely explanation is that their guns were handmade.
“I can assure you that it’s impossible for criminals to carry licensed firearm. Licensed firearms can be identified by their range and projectile,” said National Police Spokesman Setyo Wasisto, as quoted by Detik today.
Setyo said that there are gunsmiths out there who are experts in making guns out of pieces of metal. He said there is even an unspecified area on the island of Sumatra where many of these gunsmiths are based, crafting homemade guns and distributing them nationally.
Setyo said it’s also possible that the perpetrators in the recent shootings used guns that they smuggled in from outside Indonesia.
Jakarta Metro Police Chief M Iriawan urged the public, for their own safety, not to confront armed criminals.
