Execution not Self Defense: The Fatal Shooting of a Mentally Unstable Man Exposes Police Gross Unprofessionalism
- Michael T
- Oct 10
- 2 min read
Monrovia, Liberia — Discharging one or two rounds might have lent credence to police claims of self-defense. However, the six to eight bullets fired at Matthew Mulbah—coupled with the considerable distance separating officers from him—have prompted deep concern over police conduct and intent.
Residents recall that Mulbah, mentally unstable and confined to his room, posed no imminent threat when law enforcement arrived. His solitary appeal was to be left in peace. Family and friends, alarmed by his worsening condition, had sought to admit him to ES Grant hospital. Witnesses note hospital policy required police presence whenever a patient resisted admission; for this reason, officers were dispatched. When attempts were made to remove Matthew by force, he reportedly stabbed one officer. Notably, there is no indication those present had received Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training—training that might have steered the encounter toward a peaceful outcome.
This crucial gap exposes a systemic issue. When mental health facilities collaborate with law enforcement to assist vulnerable individuals, officers need training for sensitive intervention—not escalation. In this case, the Police Inspector General’s response only cited Mulbah’s act of stabbing, disregarding obligations to proper protocol. Liberian law expressly prohibits excessive force against mentally disabled individuals and calls for humane transfer to appropriate care.
Adding to concerns, the command to open fire reportedly came from an officer posted outside the immediate scene. Family members had informed police of Mulbah’s psychiatric history before their arrival, making the order for deadly force all the more disturbing.
Reflecting on the tragedy, former Education Minister George K. Werner remembered Mulbah as a “gentle giant” with a tranquil nature. “Matthew was my friend—a close friend. We lived in the same neighborhood, and I rarely took a walk without him. Whenever my car or generator gave me trouble, he was the first person I called,” Werner shared. Mulbah, recently ill with suspected cerebral malaria, had become agitated, leading his friends to seek medical intervention—a call that spiraled into violence.
According to witnesses, a barrage of gunfire ensued: six to eight rounds were fired from outside the room after a command to shoot, followed by Mulbah being handcuffed while wounded. “Discharging one or two rounds might be explained as self-defense, but this was not the case,” a community member remarked.
Werner’s reflection—“May God forgive his human limitations and grant him eternal rest. And may all those injured in this tragic incident find healing and recovery”—resonates across a shocked neighborhood.
The incident has provoked demands for an independent inquiry and brings renewed focus to a persistent crisis: Liberia’s urgent need for effective crisis response, rigorous mental health training, and unwavering professionalism within its police force.
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