Investigations into the shooting incident that claimed the life of Queenmother Pearl Naa Dodoowa Whitaker on June 19 during a naming ceremony at Gbawe Zero had led to the arrest of a suspect, Gilbert Awuni also known as Starboy.

Queenmother Pearl Naa Dodoowa Whitaker was killed after some armed individuals with locally manufactured weapons began firing indiscriminately at the ceremony organised by Ibrahim Nii Aryee Quarshie Solomon, which was attended by traditional rulers and Asafo groups.

Ibrahim Nii Aryee Quarshie Solomon was earlier arrested and admitted to instructing the use of firearms at the event.

One of the shooters, later identified as Gilbert Awuni alias Starboy, allegedly aimed and fired his weapon at close range, striking the 33-year-old queenmother of Papaase and mother of two in the head, killing her instantly.

Another victim, Priscilla Naa Aryeley, aged 38, a trader, was also shot in the chest and remains on admission at the University of Ghana Medical Centre, in stable condition.

Police investigations revealed that the armed men had consumed sobolo drinks allegedly laced with narcotics at the ceremony before the shooting.

Realizing he had committed the crime, Starboy fled the scene on a motorbike with his friend, known as Oxygen, and sought refuge in Asokore, Ashanti Region.

Acting on intelligence, a team from the Accra Regional Police Intelligence Directorate (PID), led by the Unit Commander, moved swiftly to Asokore and arrested Gilbert Awuni, a 21-year-old Okada rider and resident of Danchira, Accra.

He confessed during interrogation that he fired the weapon in a display under the influence of alcohol and fled afterwards.

Efforts are underway to recover the firearm, which he claimed to have discarded after the incident, according to the Police.

Another accomplice has been arrested, and a locally manufactured gun, empty cartridges, and gunpowder have been retrieved.

The Ghana Police Service has strongly condemned the reckless and unlawful use of firearms at public and cultural events, which poses a grave risk to lives and public safety.

"The Command reminds the public that possessing and discharging firearms without lawful authority is a serious offence, and those who flout the law will face prosecution," the Police Service noted.

In an unrelated event, investigations into the tragic killing of Fatima Abukari, an 18-year-old student of Bimbilla Senior High School (SHS), have been launched by the Police.

The deceased, a second-year student of the Bimbilla SHS, Fatima, was struck by a stray bullet during a Fire Festival, leading to her untimely demise on Saturday, July 5.

This unfortunate incident occurred when the procession was moving from the regent's palace to the Wampu Dam, where the fire was to be thrown.