Gbedee previously served as an aide to the late Mabutu Nyenpan, former public works minister
BENSON, N.C. (WTVD) – An 18-year-old was arrested on Wednesday in connection with the death of a Durham man, a 57-year-old Liberian national who was found dead in the backseat of a vehicle in Johnston County, United States of America early Sunday morning.
By J.H. Webster Clayeh (0886729972), [email protected]
On January 15, 2025, a Liberian identified as Emmanuel Kwame Gbedee was shot and killed in the backseat of a car in Johnston County. Gbedee previously served as an aide to the late Mabutu Nyenpan, former public works minister.
According to ABC news, at approximately 1:06 a.m., the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office and the N.C. State Highway Patrol received two separate reports regarding a suspicious individual and a vehicle in the 2500 block of Holly Grove Road. One caller alerted the sheriff’s office about a man dressed in all-black clothing seen walking outside a nearby shelter.
Another caller reported a vehicle in the same area with its hazard lights on, raising concerns that it may have been involved in an accident.
Upon arrival, a trooper discovered Gbedee’s body in the backseat of the vehicle with an apparent gunshot wound.
A crime scene was established, and the sheriff’s office has since treated Gbedee’s death as a homicide.
On Wednesday, The Johnston County Sheriff’s Office conducted a search warrant at a mobile home on Denn Field Lane in the Meadow Community.
According to the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office, Tray’vian Brown of Dunn was arrested and charged with the murder of 57-year old Kwame Gbedee.
The sheriff’s office said Gbedee was working as an Uber driver and is believed to have picked up Brown in the area of Holly Grove Road in Benson.
Authorities said Gbedee was found dead inside his vehicle from a gunshot wound a short distance away from where he picked up Brown.
Johnston County Sheriff’s Office said Gbedee and Brown had no association before the incident, and the motive for the shooting is unknown.
Family and friends gathered Wednesday morning. They sang and released black and white balloons into the sky.
