KINGSTON, Jamaica – A senior police officer today testified in the Tivoli Enquiry that his men came under intense gunfire while heading towards Tivoli Gardens along Marcus Garvey ‎Drive in May 2010.

Superintendent Warren Turner testified that gunshots came from an abandoned building nearby the Marine Police Headquarters.

He said from the sound of things it could have been up to 50 men firing with rifles and bullets kept flying over the heads of his men.

“When you hear that sound,” Turner said of the passing bullets, “you know ‎you are alive”.

Turner who is on pre-retirement leave said he and his men were unable to return the fire because all they could see were muzzle flashes coming from the building.

He said he instructed personnel from the Marine ‎Police to give cover fire which they did, firing in the abandoned building which caused the hostile fire to cease.

‎The men stayed at the Marine Police Headquarters until Major Kennedy of the JDF, informed him it was safe to enter Tivoli Gardens, he said. 

He said he entered the community at 8:20 pm. ‎

Paul Henry