Crime & Punishment of Friday, 30 September 2005

Source: GNA

Security officer who shot and wounded ex-lover dies

Accra, Sept. 30, GNA - Bernard Nartey, the security officer who shot two women including his ex-lover at Osu in Accra, triggering a mob action against him, has died, the police said late Thursday. He died at the Police Hospital in Accra at 1912 hours, the Public Relations Department of the Greater Accra Regional Police told the Ghana News Agency (GNA).

Nartey, who worked with a private security company, earlier on Thursday shot and critically wounded her former girlfriend, Victoria Obeng, and her friend, Hilda Addy, at Osu Blogodo Gardens, near the Castle Traffic Light, eye-witnesses said.

The two ladies were sent to the Police Hospital with Victoria in critical condition while Hilda was being treated for wounds on the hand, according to the police.

Nartey, who was severely beaten by an angry mob for shooting the two women, was also admitted to the Police Hospital. Reports say the deceased looked after Victoria while she was in school, but the girl later refused to marry him after she completed. This apparently fuelled his action, which many viewed as a revenge mission.

Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Mr James Annor had earlier told the GNA in an interview that at about 1100 hours, an assembly member for Osu Alata reported that a mob had assaulted an unknown man at the Osu Blogodo Gardens.

ASP Annor said the Police moved to the scene and found Nartey lying in a pool of blood with a locally made pistol loaded with ammunition, and a jack knife, lying beside him. ASP Annor said the Police were conducting further investigation into matter.