The family of Stanley Ahadzi, a 24-year-old man who was tragically shot and killed by an off-duty police officer, is calling for justice. Stanley was preparing to travel overseas to continue his education when the incident occurred, turning what should have been a promising chapter in his life into a devastating loss.
In the early morning of August 18, 2024, Stanley ordered a ride-hailing service for his girlfriend. The ride was from Ablekuma to Koans Estate, near Kuntunse, at around 3 a.m. According to Stanley’s girlfriend, whose identity has been kept private for her safety, the trouble began over a disagreement about the ride fare.
While speaking to GHOne, Stanley’s girlfriend recounted the frightening events. She explained that there was no argument from Stanley’s side. “The driver slapped Stanley,” she said. “Then he used his gun to hit the back of Stanley’s neck. Stanley bent down, maybe to take off his shirt to run if things got worse. That’s when the driver shot him. A Sudden Tragedy.
After firing the shot, the driver ran back to his car, visibly shaken. “He said, ‘I have killed someone,’” Stanley’s girlfriend recalled. She quickly hid but later returned to check on Stanley. To her horror, she found him lying on the ground, still alive but gravely injured. “I called out to him, and I saw his heart was still beating. He grabbed my hand, so I told the driver Stanley wasn’t dead yet and pleaded for him to help get him to a hospital,” she added. Sadly, the driver didn’t respond to her pleas for help.
Contrary to what some reports on social media suggested, Stanley’s girlfriend insisted there was no argument or aggressive behavior from Stanley. He was simply trying to de-escalate the situation.
Stanley’s family found out about his death in the most heartbreaking way—through social media. Images of Stanley lying in a pool of blood circulated online, shocking those who loved him. His cousin, Delali Wisdom, described the moment he realized what had happened. “It was early Sunday morning. I was scrolling through TikTok and saw a newsflash with a body lying in blood. I immediately called my uncle to ask if he knew anything about it,” Delali said. Unfortunately, his uncle knew nothing at that time. Only later, when Stanley’s mother and another uncle went to the scene, did they confirm the worst: the body was indeed Stanley’s.
The shooter, 25-year-old Constable Smith Gyekyi, has been charged with murder and is now in police custody. Reports say that before shooting Stanley, he fired a warning shot. After realizing the severity of his actions, he turned himself in to the Amasaman Divisional Police, where he was detained.
Stanley’s family and loved ones are heartbroken and demanding answers. Why was there such a violent reaction over a simple disagreement about a ride fare? They are now hoping that the legal system will hold Constable Gyekyi accountable for his actions.
This tragic event has not only left a family mourning the loss of a young man with a bright future but also raised serious concerns about the behavior of law enforcement officers, even when off-duty. The community awaits justice, hoping that such a senseless act will not go unpunished.
Source: Ghana Web
