The police have arrested the main suspect in the fatal Gbawe shooting

The Ghana Police Service has provided an update on the fatal shooting incident that occurred at Gbawe, a suburb of Accra, during a naming ceremony that resulted in the death of Queen Mother Pearl Naa Dodua Whitaker.

This comes in the wake of the arrest of the main suspect, a 21-year-old, from his hideout in Asokore.

According to the police at a press briefing on Monday, July 7, 2025, the arrested suspect, identified as Gilbert Awini, a 21-year-old Okada rider, is alleged to have consumed a local drink known as sobolo reportedly infused with narcotics before firing the incident.

“Further details have established that the suspect had consumed sobolo which we suspect was laced with some narcotic substances at the ceremony before the incident happened. Now for realizing that he had committed the crime, Starboy fled the scene on a motorbike with his friend known as Oxygen and sought refuge in Asokore, a suburb in the Ashanti region,” the police said.

The police added that the suspect confessed to being under the influence of alcohol and firing the shot.

“He has confessed to the crime during interrogation that he fired the weapon on display under the influence of alcohol and fled the scene thereafter.”

The police took the opportunity to advise the general public against the unlawful use of firearms at public events.

They emphasised that such actions pose serious risks to public safety and endanger lives.

“At this moment, we want to take the opportunity to strongly condemn the reckless and unlawful use of firearms at public and cultural events, which poses a grave risk to lives and public safety,” they advised.

The police added, “The command goes again to remind the public that possession and discharge of firearms without lawful authority is a serious offense and those who are found to be flouting the law will be dealt with accordingly.”

MAG/MA

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