By Lincoln G. Peters
The Liberia National Police (LNP) has charged disrobed Executive Protection Service (EPS) Agent Patrick Kollie with murder in connection to the fatal shooting of victim Valentine T. Johnson on Monday, 4 July 2022.
Agent Kollie was forwarded to court Wednesday, 6 July 2022 to face trial for the crime of murder.
“In view of the foregoing and circumstances surrounding the death of deceased Valentine T. Johnson, coupled with physical evidence (9mm Norinco pistol) … the investigation has resolved to charge Suspect Patrick Kollie with the crime of Murder,” the charge sheet stated.
It also cited witnesses’ accounts, saying Kollie’s action is in violation of Chapter 14, Section 14.1 of the Penal Code of the Republic of Liberia.
Kollie allegedly shot victim Johnson dead at the Police Academy Junction in Paynesville.
A police charge sheet released Wednesday says during a police preliminary investigation, it was established that while suspect Kollie was on his way to his Police Academy residence, he came across some alleged attackers.
Police said the alleged attackers tried to molest defendant Kollie by impeding his movement.
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While arguing with the alleged attackers, police say Agent Kollie went into his parked vehicle and pulled out his assigned arm, a 9MM Norinco pistol with serial number LR/EPS/409730767.
The charge sheet revealed that the investigation established that when the alleged aggressors realized that suspect Kollie was in possession of a firearm, they took to their heels and passed by an approaching motorbike.
Within that time, police said suspect Kollie fired a round behind the aggressors, which then allegedly hit victim Valentine T. Johnson who was riding on the approaching motorbike.
Johnson was allegedly hit above his left eye and the shot exited behind his head, leaving him unconscious.
Subsequently, police said the victim was pronounced dead by doctors on call at the John F. Kennedy Medical Center.
Additionally, it was revealed that when suspect Kollie realized that he had hit the wrong person, he immediately got into his vehicle and absconded the scene.
Police said Kollie allegedly admitted discharging his firearm and further said that he was attacked by a group of criminals who wanted to take his assigned arm.
In the process, he allegedly told police that the arm got discharged and hit a civilian who was riding on an approaching motorbike.
The investigation also established that suspect Kollie’s action clearly shows that he was in flagrant violation of Rule 4 of the Basic Firearm Cardinal Rule which states, “Beware of your target and what is beyond your target.”–Edited by Winston W. Parley
