By: Staff Writer
Monrovia – The Liberia National Police (LNP) has charged Francis Nana, a commercial taxi driver, with murder for the alleged intentional killing of Officer Mark Bracewell during a late-night incident at a police checkpoint.
According to court documents, the incident occurred around 1:00 a.m. on September 28, 2025, at the Slipway checkpoint in Monrovia.
Officer Bracewell and his colleagues were on duty when Nana reportedly arrived in his taxi.
Police say that when officers attempted to stop the vehicle for inspection, Nana allegedly refused.
As Officer Bracewell moved to block the road, Nana is accused of speeding toward him, forcing the officer to jump onto the hood of the car in a desperate attempt to avoid being struck.
Investigators allege that Nana then drove at high speed from the Gabriel Tucker Bridge to Vai Town, with Officer Bracewell clinging to the hood.
Despite efforts by fellow officers to pursue him on motorbikes, Nana allegedly rammed the vehicle against the roadside embankment, fatally injuring the officer.
A police charge sheet states that Officer Bracewell died from a skull fracture, which caused profuse bleeding, along with severe lacerations to his palm.
Meanwhile, Nana told investigators that he did not realize Officer Bracewell was on the hood of his vehicle and claimed he became confused when his passengers began shouting.
The case is expected to be forwarded to court for prosecution.
