PNG Graduate Fatally Shot at Waigani Bus Stop Sparks National Outcry
A promising young Papua New Guinean woman has been tragically killed in a police-related shooting at the busy Waigani Bus Stop in Port Moresby, sparking nationwide outrage and renewed scrutiny over police actions. Sandy Purel, a 29-year-old accounting graduate from the University of Papua New Guinea, died on Sunday afternoon after being struck by a bullet during a police crowd dispersal.
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| late Sandy Purel was killed by stray bullet in Port Moresby |
According to eyewitnesses, chaos broke out when officers from the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary attempted to break up a growing crowd at the bus stop. Amid the commotion, a single shot was fired, hitting Sandy in the chest. She collapsed at the scene and was later pronounced dead. Witnesses say Sandy was unarmed and not involved in any altercation when the incident occurred.
Assistant Commissioner of Police for NCD and Central, Benjamin Turi, confirmed the fatal shooting and said a full investigation is underway. The National Capital District’s Criminal Investigation Division (NCD CID) has been assigned to lead the inquiry. Forensic teams arrived early Monday morning to collect evidence, document the scene, and identify potential eyewitnesses.
“A post-mortem will be conducted to recover the bullet and determine the firearm it came from,” Turi said. “We must ensure justice is served. There must be accountability.”
Police later confirmed that three officers have been taken into custody, including one who is alleged to have fired the fatal shot. All three are currently under formal investigation. This incident marks the sixth fatality in Waigani within a single week, raising broader concerns about safety and law enforcement in the capital.
Sandy Purel, originally from Mendi in Southern Highlands Province, was described by friends and family as a bright, ambitious young woman who believed in the power of education to transform lives. A first-generation university graduate, Sandy aspired to help lift her family and community out of poverty.
Her death has ignited widespread public grief. The hashtag #JusticeForSandy has gained traction on social media, with thousands sharing her graduation photo alongside emotional tributes. Many see her story as a tragic reminder of the cost of unchecked police violence in PNG.
As Sandy’s family mourns her loss at the Port Moresby General Hospital morgue, calls for police reform are intensifying. Citizens, advocacy groups, and human rights observers have called for swift justice and comprehensive measures to prevent such tragedies from recurring.
What began as an ordinary Sunday turned into a day of national heartbreak — and a rallying cry for justice in Papua New Guinea.
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