MONROVIA – The Liberia National Police (LNP) has pressed formal charges against two individuals accused of orchestrating the December 18, 2024, fire that engulfed the Capitol Building in Monrovia. The incident, which has drawn public condemnation, caused significant destruction to the legislative hub, including its iconic dome and the Joint Chamber, crippling legislative operations.
The accused, identified as Thomas Isaac Etheridge and Eric Susay, both aged 39, have been implicated in what investigators describe as a deliberate and coordinated act of arson. The duo now faces multiple charges, ranging from criminal conspiracy and arson to reckless endangerment and attempted murder. The charges stem from findings that tie the fire to a political protest held a day before the incident. Demonstrators opposing the removal of Speaker J. Fonati Koffa allegedly orchestrated the attack to express their dissent.
Authorities allege that Etheridge and Susay were central figures in the plot, having secured gasoline from vendors in the early hours of December 18. The accelerant was reportedly used to kindle the fire, which quickly consumed key sections of the Capitol. Investigators have also linked the suspects to a trove of electronic devices recovered at the scene, which reportedly contained incriminating evidence of their involvement.
Eric Susay, a maintenance worker at the Capitol, was apprehended weeks after the incident. During questioning, he allegedly confessed to his role in the attack, offering a detailed account of his coordination with Etheridge. According to police, the two communicated frequently in the days leading up to the fire, discussing plans to use petrol bombs and evade capture after executing their plan.
As investigations progressed, authorities charged Etheridge with an extensive list of crimes, including criminal facilitation and solicitation. Susay faces additional charges of theft and aggravated assault, reflecting the gravity of the allegations against him. Both suspects remain detained at the Monrovia Central Prison after a failed attempt by their legal team to secure a substantial criminal appearance bond.
While these arrests represent a significant step forward, investigators have revealed that five other suspects remain at large. The fugitives include individuals with ties to the Capitol Building, such as Grace Johnson, a senior protocol officer, and Amos Koffa, a maintenance supervisor. Their alleged roles in the arson have deepened concerns about internal security vulnerabilities within government institutions.
The fire has generated outrage among citizens and civil society groups, many of whom view the attack as an assault on Liberia’s fragile democratic structures. The destruction of the Capitol Building has disrupted legislative activities, forcing temporary relocations and raising questions about the adequacy of security measures at critical national facilities.
In response to public outcry, the Liberia National Security Agency has intensified its search for the remaining suspects. Officials have called on the public to assist with any information that could lead to their arrest, vowing to leave no stone unturned in their pursuit of justice.
