Shooting in Grand Gedeh

-3 wounded

Report reaching The NewDawn from Grand Gedeh, says an unknown gunman has opened fire on three men riding on a motorbike between CBI [Gold Camp] and Wregbo, southeast Liberia, wounding them seriously.

Police Spokesman Sam Collins, told reporters on Monday, March 9, 2015 that following the incident that occurred on Sunday, March 8, the victims were taken to a local hospital for medication. There was no immediate report of death from the gunfire. 

But Collins said, the suspect, believed to be a male, is on the run and police have launched a search for him. He said details were still emerging and could not give the status of the gunshot victims up to press time.

The police have however said the shooter appeared to have used single barrel gun to inflict wounds on the victims.

In another development, police say the remains of late Sianneh Gayflor, who was discovered dead last week in the room of her boyfriend, suspect Abu Kamara, in Zorzor District, Lofa County, have been transferred to Monrovia for autopsy.

Suspect Kamara reportedly fled his residence in Zorzor District where victim Sianneh Gayflor, 32, was said to have paid visit and suspiciously died.

However, Collins did not specifically name the local mortuary in which he said, the body of the late Sianeh has been deposited in Monrovia, pending an autopsy, but told reporters that timing to the conduct of the autopsy on the corpse was a prerogative of the Justice Ministry.

Since escaping his residence on the day of the incidence on March 4, 2015, authorities say up to Monday, March 9, 2015, suspect Kamara was still on the run. However, the public has been assured that the Liberia National Police was in contact with a strong network of Interpol security to ensure that the suspect faces justice.

The death of Sianneh, from the Lorma tribe, has since caused violent protests between the Mandingo and Lorma ethnic groups in Lofa County, resulting to the burning down of four houses.

Following Sianneh’s alleged murder, observers perceived the trend of the violence that erupted in the county as avenge, as the Mandingos and Lorma ethnic groups face claims of longstanding bitterness against each other mainly bordering on cultural practices and differences.

At least 35 arrests have been made following the protests, but police have allowed a city mayor to sign for 22 of those arrested on grounds that they were party of interest; while the remaining 13, who were considered suspects in the violence remained in police custody, pending investigation.

By Winston W. Parley