66 / 494
65
4.19.
The Commission was shown video footage. We saw blockades; we
heard sounds of constant gunfire; we saw an APC at Hannah Town Police Station
being shot up and the bullet marks on it evidencing an attack on the Carrier; we
saw an officer in a van telling citizens to get off the streets because “all hell is
going to break loose”.
Attack on Police at Mountain View Avenue
4.20.
Between midnight and daybreak on 24 May, there were reports of
a number of police officers injured by gunshots. About 12.30 a.m. eight officers
were injured on Mountain View Avenue in the vicinity of Excelsior Community
College during a shoot-out with criminals who ambushed their police vehicle.
Sgt. Wayne Henriques succumbed to injuries received during the shoot-out and
Cons. Jason Davis died at 5.46 a.m., 24 May.
Supt. Colin Pinnock’s Evidence
4.21.
The commanding officer of the Motorised Patrol Division (MPD),
Supt. Colin Pinnock, testified about “the worst encounter with criminals” he had
ever had. “This one was extraordinary”, he said. About 3.00 p.m. he had
received reports of shootings in Mountain View Avenue and of a person being
shot.
4.22.
At about 11:45 p.m. while walking along the parade square,
Supt. Pinnock heard on the police radio that some members of the JCF had been
shot on Mountain View Avenue. He mobilized a group of about 20 JCF officers.
They drove to the junction of Deanery Road and Mountain View Avenue and
alighted from their vehicles. He saw other policemen there and inquired where
the shot officers were. He was given an indication. Supt. Pinnock then led his
team, in single file, on foot, up Mountain View Avenue on the side of the road
where Excelsior High School is located. He said: