91 / 494
90
4.112.
To the extent that the Operational Report details attacks
on police officers and police stations, we see no need to repeat herein
those details as set out at para.4.98. We find that, on 24 May, from as
early as 12.31 a.m., officers of the JCF came under heavy and sustained
gunfire from criminal elements loyal to Christopher Coke on Mountain
View Avenue and eight police officers were injured, of whom two died.
We accept the evidence of Supt. Colin Pinnock, reported at paras.4.21
to 4.28 above, as to the circumstances surrounding the attacks on the
police at Mountain View Avenue.
4.113.
We find that, throughout the day of 24 May, police officers
in stations at Cross Road, Kingston Central, Fletcher’s Land, Allman
Town, Rockfort and Elleston Road, were put in fear of their lives as a
result of gunfire directed against those stations by criminals. In the
morning, police vehicle MPD50 was shot at in Downtown Kingston.
During the attempt to clear blockade the FEL of the JDF was damaged
by gunfire.
4.114.
During the afternoon of 24 May, police officers on duty in
Maxfield Avenue were shot at by criminals and police vehicle MPD32
met heavy gunfire at Darling Street.
4.115.
We find that on 25 May, there was sporadic gunfire against
police assets, viz. Denham Town Police Station and K9 Division.
4.116.
We find that Coronation Market was partially destroyed
when gunmen deliberately threw Molotov Cocktails into the Market
and caused a fire to engulf part of the building and threaten the lives of
the security forces who were in the Market at the time.
4.117.
There is no convincing evidence that State officials
(excluding the security forces) were shot at on 24 May. We are