GARDERVILLE, MONTSERRADO COUNTY – A dispute over church leadership and resource management turned violent on Saturday, November 8, 2025, when members of the J.E. Marshall United Methodist Church clashed, prompting officers of the Liberia National Police (LNP) to intervene. The confrontation, which witnesses described as chaotic and alarming, saw individuals arriving with cutlasses and other blunt weapons around midday.
According to the police commander assigned to Zone Four, officers responded swiftly after receiving reports of an escalating altercation involving rival factions within the congregation. The commander said the presence of weapons posed a serious threat to public safety and forced the police to arrest four individuals believed to have sparked the confrontation.
“When our officers arrived on the scene, they found several individuals with cutlasses, which posed a significant threat to public safety,” the commander stated. “To prevent violence from breaking out, we arrested four individuals believed to be instigators of the unrest.”
The incident shocked onlookers, many of whom expressed disbelief that such hostility could erupt within a religious community long known for its outreach programs and peaceful worship. One congregant, who declined to be named, said the tension had been building for months but had never reached this level. “It was shocking to see such behavior in a place of worship,” the member said. “We should be promoting peace, not violence.”
Police cordoned off the church grounds as the altercation intensified, ensuring that bystanders and residents in the surrounding area were shielded from the chaos. Church leaders attempted to calm the crowd, urging members to embrace dialogue rather than confrontation in addressing internal grievances.
The four arrested individuals are expected to face charges, including public disturbance and the illegal possession of dangerous weapons. Police officials confirmed that an investigation is ongoing and emphasized that they will continue monitoring the situation to prevent additional unrest.
Saturday’s disruption comes against the backdrop of a recent legal battle involving the church. The Gardnersville Magisterial Court on November 7, 2025, ordered the reopening of the James E. Marshall United Methodist Church after clearing several individuals previously accused of criminal trespass and related offenses. The defendants, including Kojo Weeks, Rudolph Marab, Chris Wilson, Samuel Blayee, Baryou Wallace, Chris Wellor, and Famata Keumeh, were all found not guilty on October 17.
The court’s ruling directed authorities to restore the church premises to the United Methodist Church, Liberia Annual Conference, represented by Bishop Samuel J. Quire Jr. The decision reaffirmed the court’s intention to uphold the rights of the congregation and ensure uninterrupted access to the facility following weeks of dispute.
