One Killed in Gun Battle

Liberia’s Police Inspector General Gregory Coleman says one armed robbery suspect “was fatally stopped” in a gun battle with armed police officers on Friday night, 23 September in the Saye Town Community of Sinkor. 

“When we say fatally stopped that means there was a threat and the threat was neutralized. That’s what it means,” Inspector General Coleman told journalists at the Liberia National
Police Training Academy or LNPTA in Paynesville on Saturday, 24September.

11 armed robbers were said to have held two homes hostage in anotorious raid in Jallah Town and 9th Street Community of Sinkor, when the suspects allegedly attacked responding police officers with fire.

IG Coleman said “a gang of hooligans” opened fire on police, saying there was an exchange of fire at which point one of gangs was fatally stopped, emphasizing that the suspect will never intimidate another citizen.

As it relates to the police officer’s response to the shooting by the gangs, Coleman told journalists that a team had conducted stages of investigation to ensure that all of the police’s policies and procedures were followed.

So far, he said, there has been no breach of LNP policies or procedures, and that the review has informed authorities “that the officer acted within the scope of our standing operation procedure.”

He emphasized that the police will be cracking down hard on crimes and criminals, adding that it was an assurance to the general public that the police will go after criminals day and night, and will not wait for them to commit crimes before engaging them.

“At this point, we are deploying a more proactive strategy to continue to engage them during the day and night. I want to assure the general public that we are in consultation with our international partners. We want to assure you that we will maintain the safety and security of this nation. We will create a safe atmosphere for economic growth and development,” he said.

According to him, police went around the community and had residents come out and people were able to identify the suspect that was killed as the one who had hunted them. He said residents identified their properties with him.

The Police Inspector General also revealed that the safety and security of the Liberian state and its people will not be compromised by any means under his watch as head of the Liberia
National Police, further announcing a manhunt for the remaining robbers who are on the run.

By Winston W. Parley-Edited by George Barpeen