A 24-year-old Ghanaian man was arrested by Worcester police on Friday, July 7, 2023, after allegedly shooting his mother and sister in a harrowing incident that gripped the city for 13 tense hours.
The Worcester Police Department responded to a distress call at a residence on Colby Avenue around 8:30 in the morning, where a domestic incident had taken place. However, by the time the police arrived, the suspect had already fled the scene.
Officers engaged with a family member at the residence who provided crucial information. Outside the house, they spotted the armed suspect. Initially, they managed to get him to surrender, but he suddenly fired at the officers and retreated back into the house.
Concerned for the safety of the victims, the Worcester Police Department assembled a specialized team to handle the situation. The team included the Hostage Negotiation Team, SWAT Team, K9 Unit, drone operators, and a Mobile Crisis mental health clinician. Together, they launched a rescue operation, but the suspect remained defiant.
For almost thirteen grueling hours, officers made tireless efforts to persuade the suspect to surrender peacefully. Hostage negotiators tried to establish contact, while drone surveillance provided critical aerial video footage.
SWAT officers maintained a vigilant perimeter, and emergency medical personnel stood by, ready to assist. Unfortunately, the suspect continued to engage officers, firing his weapon on multiple occasions, resulting in officers returning fire.
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Finally, around 9:30 PM, the suspect cautiously emerged from the rear of the residence. With the assistance of a K9 unit, law enforcement successfully apprehended him. Paramedics promptly attended to his medical needs before he was taken into custody and transported to the hospital.
Both the suspect and his victims were transported to the hospital for medical treatment. The current conditions of all involved parties remain undisclosed.
The suspect is scheduled to appear in court on Monday, July 10, 2023, to face “serious charges” related to the incident. The motive behind this tragic crime is still unclear.
Local sources have identified the suspect as a former student of Wenchi Senior High School and stated that he resided in Worcester with his family prior to the incident. Governor Studios, a Worcester-based Ghanaian blogger, provided this information, shedding some light on the suspect’s background.
As the community grapples with the aftermath of this senseless act of violence, Worcester residents are left shocked. Authorities have assured the public that a thorough investigation is underway to uncover the events leading up to this tragic ordeal.
