At a press briefing on Monday, July 7, 2025, the police stated that the suspect, identified as Gilbert Awini, an Okada rider was arrested at his hideout in Asokore for firing the shot that resulted in the death of Queen Mother Pearl Naa Dodua Whitaker and injuring another victim.
“The Accra Regional Police Command has arrested a key suspect in the fatal shooting incident that occurred on the 19th of June, 2025 during a naming ceremony at Gbawe Zero, a Surburb of Accra, which resulted in the death of a Queen Mother, Pearl Naa Dodua Whitaker and caused injury to another attendee,” the police disclosed.
The police stated that their investigations into the tragic incident revealed that the key suspect, along with others armed with locally manufactured weapons, began firing indiscriminately at the event.
They added that the suspect aimed his gun and fired at close range, striking the deceased and killing her on the spot.
“Our investigation so far has established that during the event, which was organised by Ibrahim Nii Ayi Quarshie Solomon was attended by other traditional rulers and Asafo groups. At about 7 p.m. on the day of the incident, some individuals armed with locally manufactured weapons began firing indiscriminately. One of the shooters later identified as Gilbert Awini alias Starboy allegedly aimed and fired his weapon at close range striking Pearl Naa Dodua Whitaker, a 33-year-old Queen Mother of Papaase killing her instantly,” the police shared.
The second victim, who was also shot in the chest, is currently receiving treatment at the University of Ghana Medical Centre and has been stabilised.
“Another victim, Priscilla Naa Ayeley who is 38 years and a trader, was also shot in the chest and is on admission at the University of Ghana Medical Center, thankfully in a stable condition.”
They added, “Acting on intelligence from the Accra Regional Police Intelligence Team, a team was dispatched and moved swiftly to Asokore, where we arrested Gilbert Awuni, alias Starboy. He is 21 years old, an okada rider, and a resident of Denkyira here in Accra.”
The police shared that the firearm used by the main suspect has yet to be recovered, as he is believed to have discarded it.
Two other individuals, Ibrahim Nii Ayi Quarshie Solomon, who organised the event, and another accomplice, were also arrested and are assisting with police investigations.
Background
Pearl Naa Dodoowa Whitaker, the deceased met her untimely death after attending a naming ceremony event at Gbawe in June 19, 2025.
According to an eyewitness, Mary Hammond, a friend of the deceased queen mother, she was sitting with Pearl when the tragic incident happened.
According to Mary, Pearl had earlier served some of the guests and later accompanied the caterer to find transportation. After a long wait, she finally secured a vehicle for the caterer and returned to the event grounds.
“She came back and sat by me near an ice chest. She then picked up her phone and started fidgeting with it, and suddenly we heard a series of gunshots,” Mary recounted.
“By the time I realised it, she was sprawling on the ground,” she added.
Mary said she immediately shouted for help and tried to lift Pearl, only to see blood oozing from her head. She also noticed that another woman sitting in front of them had also been shot.
