IPNEWS: Authorities at the Liberia National Police say they have arrested Lawrence K. William, a 31-year-old man in connection with the fatal hit-and-run incident that unfolded at the headquarters of the Unity Party (UP) on Broad Street late Monday night. The incident involved an unmarked vehicle that plowed into jubilant UP supporters, resulting in three fatalities and leaving 18 others injured, according to the police.
However, doctors at the John F. Kennedy Hospital have put the death toll at two, and have also identified three individuals who are in critical condition. Among the injured, 15 individuals sustained various injuries, including minor cuts, bruises, fractured limbs, broken ribs, head injuries, and even brain injuries.
The incident has sent shock-waves throughout the nation, as political violence is not a common occurrence in Liberia. The Unity Party, one of the major political parties in the country, was celebrating a recent electoral victory when the tragedy unfolded, turning their celebration into a scene of chaos and despair.
The Liberia National Police swiftly responded to the incident, launching an intensive investigation into the motive behind the attack and the involvement of Lawrence K. William. Authorities have not released any details regarding a possible motive or William’s affiliation with any political group or organization.
The arrest of the alleged perpetrator has provided some solace to the grieving families and supporters affected by the attack. However, questions about the reasons behind the incident and the overall security measures surrounding political events in Liberia remain unanswered.
Law enforcement agencies are urging witnesses to come forward with any information they may have regarding the incident. The police have promised a thorough investigation to determine the circumstances leading up to the attack and to ensure that justice is served for the victims and their families.
The nation anxiously awaits further developments in this case, hoping for answers that will shed light on this tragic event and help prevent similar incidents in the future.
Earier Tuesday morning, the Liberia National Police announced that it had launched a manhunt for the driver of a unmarked vehicle which ran into a celebrating crowd at the Unity Party Broad Street Headquarters.
The LNP stated it has established a least injured victims from Monday’s accident incident at the headquarters of the Unity Party headquarters when a vehicle ran into several celebrants.
The LNP said out of the sixteen injured victims who are believed to be Unity Party celebrants, two of the victims were still unconscious while others are hospitalized at the John F. Kennedy memorial hospital.
A manhunt has been immediately launched by the Liberia National Police for the operator of said vehicle. Anyone with useful information about the whereabouts of the absconded operator can contact the Liberia National Police through these numbers: 0770800990, 0770800991, 0770800111, 0770800106.
The public, well-wishers and sympathizers of the Unity Party are urged to remain calm and steadfast while the LNP will release its findings in further investigative findings very soon.
In a related development, the LPP Vice Standard Bearer Terms as ‘Terroristic’ the Attack at UP Supporters, Wants US Gov’t Intervention
The party stated that what appears to be a horror attack took place at Unity Party (UP) supporters on late Monday evening November 20 in Monrovia, could be requital to a terroristic act.
It was reported that while supporters of opposition Unity Party were celebrating the victory of the just ended presidential runoff election, an unknown gray vehicle ran into a crowd of cheering supporters of Unity Party at their party headquarters on Broad Street in Monrovia killing two and injuring 18 others.
The incident has since drawn the attention of both the ruling CDC and the opposition community.
Mana Passaway, an eyewitness told newsmen that while Unity Party supporters were celebrating the successful election of their candidate, Am. Joseph N. Boakai, an unknown vehicle ran into the jubilant crowd leaving several people dead with many wounded.
“I was here and I saw all that happened. A gentleman who we don’t know drove a car and parked up the hill a few yards away from where we were doing our celebration. I thought he was going to get down from the car but later did I know that he was in the car and the first thing he did was to turn the car headlights off . A moment later he pulled up at an excessive speed running into the crowd and over ten persons left under the car. Some died and others were rushed to the JFK hospital” he said .
“ it is God that saved me , because I was among the crowd and something just spoke to me to say cross the road and as soon as I crossed, I heard a sound from my back. It was a vehicle that was parked from up Ducor hill. I was confused. I was not myself and I can’t tell how many people were killed no wounded. God saved me.
I believe this guy that did this was intentional, because I was on the scene. I saw the car and it came and slowed down for a while with the wheel shades down but we couldn’t recognize the person. Few times after we saw him running into the crowd, I believe it was intentional. I really think so” another eyewitness told journalists in Monrovia.
A man believed to be Unity Party Alliance Security ground commander for UP headquarters identified as Joseph F. Lafalley, told journalists that he and his friends have earlier been directing traffic at the UP headquarters while they were awaiting the official announcement from the National Elections Commission (NEC) till late evening hours at which time they were all celebrating the victory of their party when a gray vehicle came through broad street turn from up Ducor and parked up the hill for a while and turn its light off but to their surprise it later pulled-up with speed and ran into the cheering supporters of the Unity Party (UP).
Joseph added that the action of the driver of the vehicle was intentional adding that:” after he ran into the crowd, he drove down the hill and a motorbike was waiting for him, and he got out of the car and got on the bike and ran away”.
It is reported that an angry crowd has since set the car ablaze.
Thirty-one year-old Lawrence K. William has been arrested by the Liberia National Police in connection to the horrific incident which occurred at the headquarters of the Unity Party on broad street late Monday night .
As of 11:30 Am on Tuesday November 21, Doctors at the John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital have confirmed that three persons have died, as well as two critical cases. Doctors also reported that 15 others sustained various injuries ranging from minor cuts and bruises, to fractured limbs, and broken ribs. Others sustained head injuries and brain injuries.
Several Liberians have been extending their condolence messages to the Unity Party and their supporters for the incident.
One of those is Liberian People’s Party Vice Standard Bearer, Dr. Emmanuel Urey Yarkpawolo, who has termed the act as terroristic and called on the Weah led government to get the US government involved for swift investigation .
Below are words he wrote on his Facebook page early Tuesday morning.
According to eyewitnesses (I watched them live on Spoon TV), a vehicle drove and parked up broad street above the Unity Party (UP) Headquarters where UP supporters had gathered to celebrate the presidential victory of Amb. Joseph N. Boakai and the UP for the runoff presidential election. The final result of the runoff election was announced yesterday afternoon.
After some time, the vehicle drove down the street and through the crowd, killing and wounding several people. As the crowd ran after the vehicle, its driver jumped off the car and got over a motorcycle and they quickly drove away. All eyewitnesses that spoon interviewed live last night believed that the violence act was not only intentional but an act of terrorism.
Few minutes after the horrific vehicle-drive-through murder, a Facebook post attributed to Kai Doe, believed to be a CDCian based on her Facebook posts, indicated the following: “That’s the first 100 days accident at the unity party hq…killing 15 persons. We inside.” In an earlier post, Doe wrote “Boakai you will not get peace …just how you didn’t give weah peace you will not get peace …so stop calling for peace”.
Another Facebook post, attributed to Prisca Pauline also believed to be a CDcian based on her Facebook profile picture, indicates the following: “We ‘ll finish them one by one”.
Based on the testimonies of eye witnesses and the violence threats attributed to Kai Doe and Prisca Pauline, one can conclude that the violent act of last evening is an act of terrorist.
A terrorist is a person who uses unlawful violence and intimidation, especially against civilians, in the pursuit of political aims.
Since the Liberian security sector has limited capacity to investigate terrorism, I am calling on President George Weah to formally invite the American Government to help with the investigation of this cruel act of barbarism. With the Americans’ involvement in the investigation, we will get to the bottom of the investigation, findings of which will restore confidence in the Liberian justice system”.
At the same time Monrovia City Mayor Jefferson T. Koijee took to his facebook page with the below condolence messages.
“We are saddened by what happened at the headquarters of Unity Party last evening where there are reports of deaths and injuries as a result of an individual driving into jubilant supporters of the party.
Our hearts go out to all families, friends and sympathizers of those affected; hoping as steps have begun in arresting the perpetrator, a full-scale investigation will now be conducted in a fair and impartial manner. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims.
As a City Government, we encourage all our people, hurt or in celebratory mood as a result of the election, to do so peacefully without bullying others or creating pandemonium.
Liberia is our common patrimony, the sides we all took during the election were out of our true sense of belief in how Liberia could move forward in an irreversible manner; defeat or success of a political institution defines no one but moving the country forward based on promises made and people’s expectation.
