One person was killed and two injured early Sunday when the armed group they were in attempted to jump a bouncer at the popular Blowfish Kitchen and Bar nightclub in South Jakarta
ne person was killed and two injured early Sunday when the armed group they were in attempted to jump a bouncer at the popular Blowfish Kitchen and Bar nightclub in South Jakarta.
The brawl broke out at 1:40 a.m. Sunday when the attackers smashed windows at the club.
Patrons had to be escorted outside by the club's security crew.
South Jakarta Police chief Sr. Comr. Gatot Eddy Pramono said the incident had been sparked by a fight between a Blowfish customer and one of the club's bouncers Saturday night.
He declined to identify either party or what they had argued about prior to the brawl.
After midnight, the man reportedly returned to the club with a dozen of his friends, armed with knives, machetes and other sharp weapons.
"They wanted to *settle the problem' with the bouncer," Gatot told The Jakarta Post on Sunday.
A fight then broke out between the attackers and dozens of Blowfish bouncers.
Gatot played down speculation the incident was part of a wider turf war involving rival gangs fighting for control over parking lots in the trendy South Jakarta area.
The dead person was identified by police as M. Soleh, a Bekasi resident who was one of the attackers on the night.
His uncle, Edi Amin, said the family had not yet received the official report on the cause of death.
"We haven't been given the results of the autopsy yet," he said.
Soleh's body was flown to his hometown in Bengkulu province later Sunday.
Edi said Soleh had worked as a debt collector, often operating in nightclubs.
Two other attackers injured in the brawl were identified by police as Nus, from Sunter in North Jakarta, and Yoppie Ingrattubun, a resident of Blok M in South Jakarta.
Nus sustained severe lacerations to the back, and is currently being treated at Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital in Central Jakarta.
Yoppie, meanwhile, sustained heavy injuries to his head, neck and chest, and is being treated at Medistra Hospital in South Jakarta.
Police have questioned 12 witnesses as of Sunday evening, but have not yet named any suspects.
Police chief Gatot denied reports that there had been gunshots fired during the incident.
"None of the witnesses we spoke to said they'd heard any gunshots, and we found no traces of shrapnel or shell casings at the scene," he said.
He added police were currently scouring hospitals and clinics for the other attackers, also believed to have been badly injured by the club's bouncers.
A source from the club management, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the brawl had taken place in front of the building, and not inside it.
"None of those injured in the event were club patrons," the source told the Post.
"We're glad that all customers and staff of Blowfish were unharmed and safe."
The source added the club would be temporarily closed down pending a police investigation.
"I don't know how long it'll take, but it'll only be for the duration of the investigation," said the source.
In a text message forwarded to the club's regular customers, the Blowfish management strenuously denied there had been any gunfire during the incident.
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