Angry at Sawit Rusak, the owner of the farm shot dead a pig farmer in Tapsel

Illustration of the shooting (ANTARA)

TAPANULI - A pig farmer, Arinus Gawa (40), was shot dead by an oil palm plantation owner with the initials IG (39) in Gunung Baringin Village, South Angkola District, South Tapanuli Regency (Tapsel), North Sumatra. The shooting was allegedly triggered by the suspect's anger because the victim's pigs damaged his oil palm plants.

After the incident, IG was arrested by personnel from the South Tapanuli Police Criminal Investigation Unit. The police were forced to shoot the suspect's leg because he resisted when he was to be secured.

IG was then taken to the South Tapanuli Police to undergo an examination on Sunday, August 9. During the examination, the suspect admitted to shooting Arinus with a pneumatic gun when the two met at a warung in Gunung Baringin Village on Saturday, July 11.

Wakapolres South Tapanuli Kompol Muslim said the victim suffered two gunshot wounds to the chest. "The victim died with two gunshot wounds to the chest," said Muslim.

According to Muslim, before the shooting occurred, the victim had questioned the death of his father's cattle which was allegedly shot by the suspect. The meeting between the two then ended in a fight.

During the altercation, the victim is said to have attacked the IG with a knife. The suspect then retreated while pointing the air rifle he was carrying at the victim.

"From a distance of about 2 meters, the perpetrator immediately shot the victim in the chest," said Muslim.

After being shot, the victim ran to a resident's house. However, IG chased him and fired again until the victim finally died.

After the shooting, IG fled the scene. The police then carried out a pursuit until they managed to arrest the suspect.

Based on the results of the examination, the police said the shooting was motivated by the suspect's grudge and anger against the victim. Arinus's pig herd allegedly damaged IG's oil palm trees.

For his actions, IG is now being held at the South Tapanuli Police. The suspect was charged with Article 458 paragraph (1) of the Criminal Code regarding murder with a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison.