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intermittent pistol and rifle fire from within the market
complex to the east.”
4.76.
Maj. Henry spoke of gunmen “popping up” in the old Metropolitan
Parks and Markets (MPM) complex and delivering “significant and coordinated
gunfire”. The MPM complex was located at the junction of Darling Street and
Spanish Town Road. The Commission saw videos of the live action in Coronation
Market where members of the JCF who were deployed with the JDF were
bombarded with frightening and heavy gun attacks. The JCF officers were under
the command of DSP Johnson and Supt. Baker.
Reports of Casualties
4.77.
All lanes leading to the market were covered by gunfire.
Meanwhile, soon after 12.30 p.m. Maj. Henry began receiving reports of
casualties and heavy gunfire elsewhere in the area.
4.78.
At para.9 of his witness statement, Maj. Henry said –
“9. I was informed via radio that No.4 platoon which had
been deployed to MSOC had sustained two casualties and
consequently had withdrawn into MSOC where they were
coming under heavy, sustained gunfire. They were pinned
down and were forced to actively engage in defence of their
position to prevent it from being overrun.”
4.79.
We discuss the casualties under Term of Reference (H) in
Chapter 9.
Attempts to Gain Control of Plazas
(a)
Foxy’s Plaza
4.80.
No.4 platoon of Bravo had been tasked to gain control of Foxy’s
Plaza. This was a high-rise building of three storeys and “was the most imposing
structure in the Spanish Town Road area”. It housed shops and, from its roof,
there was a clear view of Spanish Town Road, Darling Street, the Coronation