– VP Taylor Describes Shooting at the Cyber Ed Christian School
Vice President Jewel Howard Taylor has described the shooting that took place at the Cyber Ed Christian School early Tuesday morning as a tragedy that saddens her heart. “My heartfelt condolences go out to the family of the deceased, the administration of the school and the entire student body, VP Taylor said on her official Instagram Page”.
A 14-year-old female student Precious Ireland of the Cyber-Ed Christian School of Excellence situated in the Sophie Community, Oldest Congo Town, was on Tuesday, 13 April 2021 shot dead.
Police authority confirmed the death of the 14-year-old, announcing that two 11th Grade students of the school, Jovanus Oliver Touray and Matthew Gonkaiwon have been arrested and are undergoing police investigation in connection with the death of Ireland.
Police spokesman Moses Carter told reporters that Ireland was shot in her neck with a 9 millimeter pistol, and that 16 years old Jovanus Oliver Turay is being held by the Liberia National Police (LNP) as prime suspect, Matthew Gonkaiwon, 17-year-old, is considered a person of interest in the LNP’s ongoing probe into circumstances surrounding the shooting incident that led to the death of teenage female student.
According to Carter, police preliminary probe of the school’s principal, Mr. Emmett Toh, at 7:45 AM on the day of the fatal shooting incident, established that the school’s principal was alerted by one of his colleagues of a shooting sound heard on the campus of the institution.
Carter added that it was further accounted that eyewitnesses and students saw the three students (Turay, Gonkaiwon and Ireland), all students of the school, listening to music via an earpiece, and suddenly saw student precious lying unconscious after the shooting sound was heard.
Parents of the main suspect Jovanus Turay have been cooperating to bring in their legal representation to extract statements from the juvenile suspect and person of interest, Carter disclosed.
The 14-year-old victim was rushed to the SOS Hospital about three minutes’ drive away from where she was shot for medical attention and was later pronounced dead on arrival by doctors, according to Police spokesman Carter.
Liberia’s Vice-President said it was time for prayers for nation, families and self.
“Today is one of the saddest days in my life to witness such tragedy. It is a national tragedy, tragedy for both families and tragedy for the schoolmates. My prayers go out to ALL. It is time for prayers oh. For nation, family and self,” VP Taylor said.
Meanwhile the father of Jovanus Turary has openly apologized to the bereaved family on behalf of his son and said his son regrets the incidence.
Chief Jewel Howard Taylor has called on parents to stand up and pray. She said the incidence is a tragedy indeed for both families and our nation. “Beware of the things that seem unimportant, for out of them arise the issue. Tragedy, which needs to make, parents standup and pray. May God help us, my deepest sympathies to all”, VP Taylor said.