Tragedy in Semarang: Children Wrongfully Labeled “Gangsters” After Fatal Shooting

The deadly shooting of vocational school students in Semarang, Indonesia, has sparked outrage, with the Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI) expressing concern over the labeling of students as “gangsters” in the aftermath. KPAI asserts that this label is not only inaccurate but also potentially harmful to the psychological wellbeing of the child victims.

Misleading Labels and the Trauma of Shooting

“Children feel uneasy with the mention of gangsters. They are not a gang; they just got together without knowing each other beforehand, and there were no plans for a brawl,” said Diyah Puspitarini, a KPAI Commissioner.

“These children have undergone a traumatic experience,” she added.

According to KPAI, S (17), one of the victims, and other students who were detained by the police have denied any involvement in any acts of violence. They maintain that they were simply walking home when the terrifying shooting occurred.

“The children did not commit violence or attack either party,” Diyah explained. “The shots occurred quickly and from close range when the children were returning home.”

SMK N 4 Semarang, the school the victims attended, also vehemently denied any involvement of their students in a gang. They emphasized that the victim was a model student known for his academic excellence.

“We are focused on restoring education and defending the rights of children who are victims,” a school representative stated.

A Plea for Careful Labeling and Attention to Victims’ Rights

“We ask all parties to be careful when labeling victims,” Diyah emphasized. “Such references can worsen the psychological condition of those struggling to recover from trauma. Don’t let children who have become victims receive a negative stigma.”

The Shooting and Ongoing Investigation

The shooting, which tragically claimed the life of GRO (17), a student at SMK Negeri 4 Semarang, occurred on November 24, 2024, in Pusponjolo, Ngaliyan, Semarang. According to the Semarang Police, GRO was shot in the hip. He was immediately rushed to the emergency room at the Central General Hospital, dr. Kariadi Semarang for treatment but, sadly, could not be saved.

Two other teenagers were also injured in the shooting. While they survived, they sustained injuries during the incident. At a press conference, police displayed several sharp weapons, including machetes and sickles, which they claimed were recovered from the teenagers involved in a brawl.

Central Java Regional Police have interviewed 12 witnesses to the incident.
The investigation is ongoing.

The Semarang Police have named KPAI,

MPL (20) as a suspect in the brawl case. KPAI is closely monitoring the case to ensure the rights of the child victims are protected and emphasizes the need for a fair and transparent legal process.

What specific‌ actions can the Indonesian government⁤ and law​ enforcement agencies ‍take to prevent similar tragedies from happening in the future?

## Interview with Diyah Puspitarini on⁢ the Semarang⁤ School⁤ Shooting

**Interviewer:** Diyah Puspitarini, thank you for joining us today. The shocking‌ shooting of vocational ​school students in ⁣Semarang has⁤ sparked widespread outrage. What ⁤are your initial thoughts on this tragedy?

**Diyah Puspitarini:** This is a deeply distressing situation. As the Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI), we are profoundly concerned by the loss ⁢of life and the trauma inflicted upon these children. ‍

**Interviewer:** You’ve expressed concerns ⁣about how the students involved have been labelled as “gangsters.” Can you elaborate ​on why this is ⁣problematic?

**Diyah Puspitarini:** Absolutely.‌ These children are being wrongly labelled. [[1](https://en.tempo.co/read/1946904/hundreds-protest-fatal-shooting-of-semarang-student-at-central-java-police-headquarters)]‌ The KPAI has spoken directly to the students, including S, a 17 year ‍old victim, and others who⁢ were detained. They have ⁣explicitly denied any involvement in violence. They simply happened to be⁤ together walking ⁤home ⁢when the shooting occurred. To label them as a “gang” ‍is⁢ not only inaccurate, it’s profoundly damaging to their psychological ‌wellbeing.

**Interviewer:** Can you describe the emotional impact of this⁤ experience on these children?

**Diyah Puspitarini:** This has been a deeply traumatic ‍experience for them. They were simply‌ walking home, and suddenly shots were​ fired from close range. This ‍is ⁢an event they will likely carry with them for a lifetime.

**Interviewer:** What is the‍ KPAI calling for in​ response ​to this tragedy?

**Diyah Puspitarini:** Firstly, a thorough and impartial investigation is ⁢essential to determine the facts surrounding‌ the shooting. Secondly, we urge authorities to retract ⁢the harmful label of “gangsters” applied to these ⁣children. We must ensure their mental health needs are addressed and that they‍ receive support ⁢during this traumatic‍ time.