GRABBED! Gilbert Awuni
The Accra Regional Police Command has arrested the key suspect in the fatal shooting incident that occurred on June 19, 2025, during a naming ceremony at Gbawe Zero, Accra.
The incident resulted in the death of Queenmother Pearl Naa Dodoowa Whitaker and injured another attendee.
According to investigations, the event was attended by traditional rulers and Asafo groups. At about 7:00 p.m., some individuals armed with locally manufactured weapons began firing indiscriminately. One of the shooters, later identified as Gilbert Awuni alias Starboy, allegedly aimed and fired his weapon at close range, striking Pearl Naa Dodoowa Whitaker, a 33-year-old queenmother of Papaase and mother of two, in the head, killing her instantly.
Another victim, Priscilla Naa Aryeley, a 38-year-old trader, was shot in the chest and remains in stable condition at the University of Ghana Medical Centre. Police investigations revealed that the suspects had consumed sobolo drinks allegedly laced with narcotics at the ceremony before the shooting.
After committing the crime, Starboy fled the scene on a motorbike with his friend, known as Oxygen, and sought refuge in Asokore, Ashanti Region. Acting on intelligence, a team from the Accra Regional Police Intelligence Directorate (PID) arrested Gilbert Awuni alias Starboy, a 21-year-old Okada rider and resident of Danchira, Accra.
During interrogation, he confessed to firing the weapon under the influence of alcohol and discarding it afterwards. Efforts are underway to recover the firearm.
By Prince Fiifi Yorke