Three Suspected Perpetrators Of House Burning In Tallo Youth Clashes Arrested By Police

Screenshots - The atmosphere of the house on stilts caught fire during a clash between the youth of Sapiria village and Borto village at the Beroangin Public Cemetery (TPU), Pannampu Village, Tallo District, Makassar, South Sulawesi, Tuesday (18/11/2025). (ANTARA)

Three people suspected of being involved in the burning of houses during clashes between youth groups in Kampung Sapiria and Kampung Borong Taipa (Borta), Tallo District, were finally arrested by the police after going through an intensive investigation process.

"We have secured several houses and we have identified all of them. We are working with the South Sulawesi Regional Police Ditreskrimum. We have secured three people with the initials K, R, and I," said Head of Criminal Investigation Unit of Makassar Police AKBP Devi Sujana, Sunday.

The three of them are currently undergoing in-depth examination, while the police are continuing to hunt down other perpetrators who are suspected of being involved. Devi emphasized that if from the results of the investigation they were found guilty, the perpetrators would be charged with severe punishment.

Clashes between the two groups of youths occurred on November 18, 2025 and caused 13 houses, most of which were made of wood and semi-permanent to be burned. In addition to damage to buildings, two people were reportedly killed by air rifles.

The first victim with the initials C (37), died after a projectile hit his head. This incident sparked the anger of the residents until another clash broke out and led to the burning of a number of houses. The perpetrator of the shooting of victim C was arrested the day after the incident, namely the suspect with the initials CBT.

"That's what the clashes are like, but for the position, we are still exploring the roles of the victims and how the roles of the perpetrators are," said Devi.

Regarding the origin of the air rifle used by the perpetrators, the police found that CBT had bought the weapon since one year ago and was suspected of having made similar purchases several times. The rifle was even given to his colleagues.

"The rifle was apparently given to other friends. The purpose of him having it was to defend himself. (Regarding the permit), because this is not a firearm, it is not included in the criteria for the emergency law that requires (permission)," Devi explained.

The case of the death of the second victim, MDJ (16), a student, is also still being investigated. He died after being hit by an air rifle when the clash occurred in Lorong Tinumbu 148, Tallo. According to the police, the victim was not just passing by, but was involved in the attack.

"It turned out that he was not a victim while passing by, he attacked. If a passerby is shot as if he is prone to being right there, but not, (ikut) attacking him (the victim). The results of the investigation of the perpetrator have not been identified, they are still being sought," explained Devi.

The police confirmed that if the shooters were proven, they would be subject to Article 338 subsidiary Article 351 paragraph 3 of the Criminal Code with a maximum threat of 15 years in prison. Meanwhile, the perpetrators of house fires were charged with Article 188 of the Criminal Code which carries a threat of up to 12 years in prison.