On January 19, a church stampede claimed 29 lives in Monrovia, the capital of Liberia. The stampede was the result of a staged robbery by armed men.The congregation was in attendance for an all night worship session at a Christian church in New Kru Town. A witness reported that during the prayer, men with makeshift weapons and knives began terrorizing the church and stealing personal effects. Following the event, police investigated the crime but refused to comment on what caused the tragic event. The President of Liberia declared a three day period of national mourning for the victims of the tragic incident. Crime stemming from desperation is becoming ever more prevalent in the Sub-Saharan country. A general lack of social safety nets and economic stability in developing countries directly necessitates crimes of desperation.