Incident Overview
A 25-year-old Moroccan national, referred to by the initials E.A., was shot and injured in a nightclub located in Canggu, Bali, Indonesia. The incident, which took place early on July 17, has been linked to a heavily intoxicated Indonesian gunman who attempted to flee the country shortly afterward. The shooting occurred at approximately 2:50 a.m. local time at an entertainment venue situated on Jalan Pantai Berawa in the Kuta Utara district of Badung regency, as reported by local authorities.
The Moroccan victim sustained a gunshot wound above his right knee, while a 32-year-old security guard, identified as I.M.Y.M., was struck in the left thigh, with the bullet passing through his leg. Investigators pieced together the events leading up to the shooting, revealing that around 2:10 a.m., the assailant, a 49-year-old Indonesian named H.S.H. from Cipete in South Jakarta, had a heated argument with another patron, identified as A.D., near the DJ booth. The security guard intervened to separate the two, with the Moroccan man positioned directly behind him to assist in de-escalating the situation.
Details of the Shooting and Arrest
During the intervention, the security guard was pushed from behind and fell about one meter in front of the suspect, with the Moroccan man remaining close behind him. It was at this moment that the suspect brandished a firearm and discharged a single round, which struck the guard’s left thigh before hitting the Moroccan's leg. Additionally, another witness suffered a cut to the back of the head from broken glass during the chaos. Both victims received initial medical treatment at a nearby clinic before being transferred to Lira Medika Hospital for more intensive care.
The Chief of Badung Police, AKBP Joseph Edward Purba, addressed the media on July 20, indicating that the suspect’s intoxication played a critical role in the incident. He stated, 'The suspect’s motive was rage while under the influence of alcohol,' noting that a subsequent urine test revealed positive results for THC, MDMA, and amphetamine. After leaving Bali for Jakarta on the same day, the suspect attempted to conceal the weapon at his residence. Acting swiftly on a police report filed on the day of the shooting, law enforcement collaborated with regional police, airport authorities, and immigration officials to apprehend the suspect, who was arrested at Soekarno-Hatta Airport just before midnight on July 18 while attempting to board a flight to Kuala Lumpur.
Upon arrest, officers confiscated a Glock pistol with the serial number BATV-955, a metal object believed to be a projectile, twelve rounds of 7.65 mm ammunition, a holster, three 9 mm magazines with a 17-round capacity, one 9 mm magazine with a 31-round capacity, and a flash drive containing surveillance footage from the nightclub. Purba emphasized the importance of public safety, stating, 'We do not give room to anyone who commits a criminal act, much less using a firearm that can endanger public safety.' The suspect now faces serious charges under Article 306 of Indonesia’s criminal code, which governs unlawful possession and use of firearms and ammunition, a charge that carries a potential sentence of up to 15 years in prison. He is also charged under Article 466 (2) for causing serious injury through assault, which is punishable by up to five years in prison. As of now, the suspect has been declared medically fit and remains in custody as investigators work to finalize the case.
As reported by moroccoworldnews.com.
