Ex-wife of police officer suspected of taking his firearm in Medan

Authorities in Medan, North Sumatra, are investigating the suspected suicide of a woman identified as L, the former wife of Bripka IH, a police officer from the Medan Sunggal Police Precinct. The incident reportedly took place on Sunday afternoon in the bathroom of a house in the Bumi Asri complex.

According to Kombes Pol Ferry Walintukan, Head of Public Relations for the North Sumatra Regional Police, L was at her ex-husband's home when the event unfolded. While Bripka IH was resting, he noticed his bag was open and discovered his firearm was missing. He later heard a gunshot from the bathroom.

Walintukan clarified that L and Bripka IH had been divorced since 2022, and L had visited the house to meet her ex-husband. The police official stated that preliminary findings from forensic laboratory examinations suggest L died by suicide using the firearm. Bripka IH is currently being examined by the Professional and Security Division (Propam) of the North Sumatra Regional Police as part of the ongoing investigation, which is being handled by the Medan City Police.

While the investigation is ongoing, the initial assessment points towards a suicide. The firearm used belonged to Bripka IH, and its disappearance from his bag shortly before the gunshot is a key element of the inquiry. The police are continuing to gather information to fully understand the circumstances surrounding the death.