T

he Gorontalo Police have formed a special team to investigate the murder of Police Mobile Brigade (Brimob) officer Rico Saputra, 22, by unidentified persons.

Gorontalo Police chief spokesperson Adj. Sr. Comr. Lisma Dunggion said the police had yet to identify the suspects or the motive for the killing on the evening of Feb. 22.

'€œThe number of perpetrators remains unclear. Some witnesses said two people were involved, others said between six and 12 people. We cannot assume or speculate,'€ Lisma told The Jakarta Post on Monday.

Rico was stabbed as he was having dinner at a sidewalk food stall in Taman Kota, Limboto, Gorontalo regency, at around 11 p.m. The victim was rushed to Dunda hospital in Limboto by passersby. Rico, who was transferred from Brimob headquarters in Kelapa Dua, Depok, West Java, to the regency just three months ago, died on the way to the hospital. He sustained four stab wounds to his back and one to the front.

According to Lisma, the victim was having dinner with his girlfriend and was not wearing a uniform. Police are still questioning nine witnesses who were at the location when the incident occurred. Rico'€™s body has been flown to his hometown in Jambi.