Twenty-one-year-old man has been arrested by the Accra Regional Police Command for being a suspect in the tragic shooting incident that claimed the life of a queenmother at Gbawe Zero, a suburb of Accra.
The suspect, identified as Gilbert Awuni Alia, popularly known as ‘Starboy’, was apprehended in Asokore in the Ashanti Region after evading police for nearly three weeks.
Director of Public Affairs for the Greater Accra Regional Police Command, DSP Juliana Obeng, during a media engagement on Monday, July 7, 2025, confirmed the arrest and arraignment of ‘Starboy’.
She added that ‘Starboy‘ has already made his first court appearance and is scheduled to reappear on July 16, 2025.
Meanwhile, the organiser of the ceremony, Nii Ayi Solomon, has also been arrested after admitting that he authorised the use of firearms at the event.
The police say they are continuing investigations to determine the full circumstances surrounding the shooting.
The incident occurred on Thursday, June 19, 2025, during a naming ceremony organised by Ibrahim Ni Ayikwashi Solomon, also known as Nii Ayi Solomon.
According to the police, a group of individuals, including ‘Starboy’, arrived at the event wielding firearms, allegedly to display power and honour the occasion.
The celebration, however, turned fatal when 33-year-old Queenmother, Pearl Naa Dodoowa Whitaker — known in private life as Naa Agyinafo I of Papase — was shot at close range, dying instantly.
Another woman, 38-year-old Priscilla Naa Ayele, also suffered a gunshot wound to the chest and is currently receiving treatment at the University of Ghana Medical Centre. Her condition is reported to be stable.
“The suspect has been arraigned and is expected to reappear in court on July 16,” DSP Obeng said.
