Police Investigating The Incident As Tension Remains High

By Emmanuel Koffa

BARCLAYVILLE, Liberia– What began as a traffic confrontation at Wakpaken Junction reportedly escalated into a tense early-morning standoff at the Grand Kru detachment of the Liberia National Police (LNP).

Police say the chain of events started around 10:00 p.m. when Superintendent Truman David Barclay Jr., Officer in Charge of Operations, attempted to halt a white vehicle allegedly being driven recklessly through the junction.

According to authorities, the driver’s actions posed a danger to pedestrians in the area.

“When the OPS intervened to prevent possible harm, he was allegedly assaulted by the driver,” a police source stated. “The suspect reportedly struck him with the vehicle’s door and punched him in the stomach.”

Police officers later moved to impound the vehicle after the driver allegedly refused to accompany them to the station and walked away from the scene.

During the impoundment, a mechanic believed to be associated with the vehicle reportedly obstructed officers and was arrested.

Police latery removed the vehicle’s battery to secure it at the scene.

However, tensions heightened at about 2:00 Am GMT, when the driver allegedly returned to the police station with a group of supporters.

Local authorities described the gathering as confrontational.

“The group demanded the immediate release of the arrested individual and threatened damage to the police facility,” police disclosed.

Deputy Police Commander for Grand Kru County, CSP Harry Blackie, intervened to calm the situation.

“He engaged the group peacefully and advised them to return in the morning for due process,” police said, noting that the crowd eventually dispersed without further incident.

The LNP confirmed that the case remains under investigation and assured the public that appropriate legal steps will be taken.