In Monday’s Night Incident at the Unity Party Headquarters 3 dead, Several injured …Suspect arrested, Under Police Investigation

Authorities of the Liberia National Police (LNP) have released a statement informing the public on the arrest of suspect Lawrence K. Williams, a resident of Duport Road Flower-Pot Community, whose vehicle ran into jubilant supporters of the Unity Party(UP) while celebrating their victory at their party’s Headquarters on Broad Street, Monrovia.

According to Moses Carter, LNP’s Spokesperson, three persons are confirmed dead by doctors out of the total injuries of 25 persons, while 22 persons (6 females and 19 males) are undergoing treatment at both the John F. Kennedy Medical Center in Sinkor and the Mawah Clinic in Vai Town.

“The public can be assured that this investigation will reach a logical conclusion where justice will be served. The leadership of the joint security extends its deepest sympathy to the bereaved families of those who unfortunately lost their lives and keeps in prayer those of our citizens that are undergoing treatment,” Mr. Carter added.

The incident, which took place on November 20, 2023 at about 10 p.m., has now reported three deaths, two males and one female, as confirmed by medical doctors at the John F. Kennedy Medical Center.

The Liberian National Police said it has launched an investigation into the tragic incident and the public will be subsequently informed. 

“Police investigation established that the cause of the incident was due to a vehicle operator who ran into some supporters of the Unity Party that were celebrating victory at their party headquarters,” Mr. Carter told journalists in Monrovia at a press conference.

On November 20, 2023, the National Elections Commission (NEC) announced Joseph Boakai and Jeremiah Koung of the Unity Party as winners of the November 14, 2023 Presidential Rin-Off Election, causing supporters to assemble at their party headquarters on Snapper Hill, Broad Street, where a vehicle with heavy speed ran through a crowd.

The incident has been marred by mixed reactions, with some pointing fingers and others claiming the incident were well planned by enemies of the Unity Party. However, Amara Konneh, Gbapolu County Senator-Elect, posted on his Facebook page that the suspect has been interviewed by former Police Director Gregory Coleman, former Deputy Police Director Abraham Kromah, and another police officer, Sam Gaye.

“Greg Coleman, AB Kromah, and Sam Gaye interviewed the suspect, his wife, and the motorcyclist who took him to safety to avoid mob justice and later turned him in. This was an accident. Let’s pray for the victims,” Mr. Konneh said.

At the same time, the Government of Liberia(GoL) has extended its profoundest sympathy to the families of the victims of Monday's night incident at the Unity Party Headquarters, which occurred when an untagged vehicle ran into a group of UP partisans celebrating their elections victory.

This incident left three persons dead and dozens injured. The driver of the vehicle, Lawrence K. Williams was later arrested and is undergoing police investigation.

As the LNP has already informed the public of the preliminary outcomes of what has happened to date, the government assures all that a logical conclusion of this investigation will be reached in the coming days. 

The government therefore urges the public to refrain from making unsubstantiated claims about the incident, which has the potential of stoking post-elections violence. 

The government takes particular note of a Unity Party statement, which appears to have drawn a conclusion, by terming the incident as  "domestic terrorism" while at the same time urging the police to "investigate the cause" of the incident.

In the intervening hours following a tense general election and the return to business as usual, all political parties, especially their leaderships, are urged to eschew incendiary rhetorics that could undermine the peace and tranquility of the country.