89 / 494
88
However, in her oral evidence, Supt. Brown-Ellis changed the date of 28 May and
testified that it was 27 May.
FINDINGS
4.105.
So far as the events of 24 May are concerned, officers of
both the JDF and the JCF were assailed by constant, sustained and
heavy gunfire soon after setting out from the UDC Car Park towards
Tivoli Gardens. Soldiers in their advances along Darling Street and on
Marcus Garvey Drive made only slow progress because of gunfire from
criminals loyal to Christopher Coke.
4.106.
The plan to establish a cordon around Tivoli Gardens was
compromised because of threats by gunfire to the personal safety of
the security forces. Gunmen were strategically positioned on high-rise
buildings within and outside of Tivoli Gardens, in Coronation Market
and the MPM complex and they maintained a steady offensive against
the security forces into the afternoon.
4.107.
No.6 platoon under the command of Capt. Anderson came
under such sustained gunfire that it was prevented from entering
sector 3 until about 5.00 p.m. When No.4 platoon was eventually able
to enter Rasta City, it too, was subjected to gunfire from criminals
located on high-rise buildings. The JCF detachment under
DSP Thomas did not enter the sector until daybreak on 25 May. We are
unable to attribute any reason for the delay of the JCF in entering the
sector since DSP Thomas did not testify at the Enquiry.
4.108.
We find that Maj. Henry and Lt. Col. Sewell came face to
face with gunmen who took aim or fired at them. L/Cpl. McLennon
survived a series of vicious attacks launched against the Front End
Loader (FEL) which he was operating, by shooters in an open lot near