Densus 88, Indonesia’s elite counter-terrorism unit, has unveiled critical details regarding a Molotov cocktail explosion at SMP Negeri 3 Sungai Raya, Kubu Raya Regency, West Kalimantan. The incident, which sent shockwaves through the local community, occurred on Tuesday, February 3rd, at approximately 10:30 AM Western Indonesian Time (WIB).
Authorities have successfully apprehended the perpetrator, identified as a ninth-grade student from the very school where the explosion took place. Further investigation by Densus 88 revealed a disturbing link: the student was actively involved with a group known as the True Crime Community. “The individual was drawn to violent content and was also a member of the True Crime Community,” stated Kombes Pol Myandra Eka Wardhana, spokesperson for Densus 88 Anti-terror, in a statement released on Wednesday, February 4th.
The existence and potential influence of this True Crime Community have, in fact, been under the radar of Densus 88 since late last year. The unit had previously expressed concerns and warned about the potential exposure of this community to impressionable teenagers, highlighting a growing threat in the digital landscape.
According to the official website of the National Police Public Relations Division (Humas Polri), the True Crime Community is defined as a collective that thrives without formal leaders or established organizations. It leverages transnational and sensational digital platforms to connect its members. This community comprises enthusiasts and groups with a specific fascination for real-life criminal narratives, encompassing everything from murder cases, missing persons investigations, fraud, and psychological crimes, to unsolved mysteries, commonly known as cold cases.
These communities typically converge and interact across various popular social media platforms. Their discussions and content sharing often take place on YouTube, TikTok, podcasts, Reddit, and Twitter/X, making them widely accessible to a diverse and often young audience. The National Counterterrorism Agency (BNPT) has compiled data indicating that involvement in such communities can potentially incite teenagers to engage in extreme behaviors. A notable example cited is the SMAN 72 Jakarta explosion case, where individuals allegedly imitated certain actions to gain a sense of power or notoriety.
From the apprehended perpetrator, police seized a substantial amount of evidence underscoring the severity of the incident. The items confiscated include:
- Five portable gas canisters, each modified with firecrackers, nails, and a knife attached to its side.
- Six bottles containing flammable liquid fuel along with fabric wicks, clearly intended for the creation of Molotov cocktails.
- One bladed knife.
Summary
Densus 88 has revealed details concerning a Molotov cocktail explosion at SMP Negeri 3 Sungai Raya, West Kalimantan, on February 3rd. A ninth-grade student from the school was apprehended as the perpetrator. Densus 88’s investigation linked the student to the “True Crime Community,” noting their attraction to violent content.
This “True Crime Community,” monitored by Densus 88, lacks formal leadership and connects members through transnational digital platforms discussing real-life criminal narratives. The National Counterterrorism Agency (BNPT) warns that involvement in such communities, prevalent on social media like YouTube and TikTok, can incite teenagers to engage in extreme behaviors. Authorities seized five modified gas canisters, six bottles containing flammable liquid, and a bladed knife from the suspect.