9 Brimob officers named suspects in Gorontalo shootings

(Antaranews.com/Didot)

Nine Mobile Brigade (Brimob) officers with the Gorontalo Police were named suspects in a shooting incident involving members of Brimob and the Army Strategic Reserve Command (Kostrad) in Gorontalo last week, which killed one soldier and injured others.

They were charged with Article 351 of the Criminal Code on assault, carrying with it a sentence of up to five years.

Gorontalo Police spokeswoman Adj. Sr. Comr. Lisma Dunggio said on Saturday that the nine policemen were detained at the Gorontalo Police headquarters while waiting for the completion of the dossier.

“We named them suspects after questioning 40 police and civil witnesses,” she said, adding that the figure would likely to increase.

“We’re speeding up the process so that Gorontalo residents won’t have to worry for too long,” he added.

However, the investigators have yet to name any suspects for the death of Second Pvt. Firman, a member of Kostrad’s 221st Infantry Battalion based in Gorontalo, who died from a gunshot that passed through his right arm and pierced his chest on April 22. The motive behind the shootings is still unknown.

“The joint investigation team is still finding out where the ballistics came from,” Lisma said.

Lisma added that the nine suspects would face a court as well as an
internal ethics hearing.

On Saturday, the team investigated four scenes: Limboto tower, the Public Works Agency office, the front of Limboto mall and close to Jl. Trans Sulawesi.

Separately, spokesman of the Wirabuana Military Command overseeing Sulawesi, Col. Yance Woley, emphasized that the security status in Gorontalo was normal.

However, Lisma said that Gorontalo Police were on alert. (swd)