London engaged police in gunfight seconds before his death
-ASP Armstrong
Stabroek News
October 23, 2002
Wanted man Linden London continued to engage police in an exchange of gunfire up to seconds before his death.
This was the evidence of Assistant Superintendent of Police Philip Armstrong when the Coroner's Inquest into the deaths of Linden London and Rhonda Forde continued on Monday. Armstrong was at the time being questioned by the Coroner, Senior Magistrate Melissa Robertson.
Upon his arrival, Armstrong said, gunshots were coming from the guest house and police ranks who were outside the building were shooting in its direction. "The first set of ranks, or the first group who confronted London were from the Target (Special) Squad, which included ex-superintendent David, Senior Superintendent Merai and Senior Superintendent Fraser (now deceased)."
Chronicling the culmination of the 11-hour siege, which ended with London's death, Armstrong said that "even as the building was burning, the exchange of gunfire continued between London and the police ranks."
"The police ranks?" the coroner interrupted.
"...Who were outside of the building," Armstrong continued.
"About 7 am on the ninth of February, Linden London was killed."
"So who killed Linden London? You said that about 7 am he was killed."
"I cannot say who killed him."
"What happened immediately before he was killed? What was happening and where were you?"
"I was about 250 yards away from the building seconds before he was killed."
"So what was happening?"
"I heard gunshots, I couldn't see what was taking place."
"You heard gunshots?"
"Yes."
"And where were these gunshots coming from?"
"I can't say."
"You can't say where the gunshots were coming from? So you don't know who was involved in the shooting..."
"I know that he was shooting at police ranks and the police were shooting back."
"You know that for a fact?"
"Yes."
"...And this is seconds before he was killed?"
"Yes."
"Were the soldiers shooting at that time?"
"I can't say. I know that the police and London were exchanging gunfire."
Afterwards London's body was taken away by a police vehicle. Armstrong said he saw the body before it was carried away. There were bloodstains. Some were around the groin area, others around one of his shoulders. He couldn't remember which one.
After London's body was taken away and the fire was put out, Armstrong said, policemen and soldiers entered the building and searched through the debris. They recovered an AK-47 assault rifle; a Sterling sub-machine gun; two sawed-off pump-action shotguns; a 9mm Browning pistol; a .32 Taurus revolver as well as a quantity of live ammunition; smoke grenades; gas-masks; and a steel (military) helmet in the debris.
Following his testimony Armstrong was questioned by the Coroner.
"You said earlier that policemen and London were exchanging fire seconds before London was killed. Do you know their names?
"I can't say. There were a number of ranks there from `A' Division."
"Earlier you said the Target Squad had been firing. So let me ask you: Were the Target Squad firing?"
"I can't say."
"I can't say who were the ones firing. But I know for a fact that the late Superintendent Fraser was there in the exchange of gunfire."
"So how do you know he was there and you don't know who else? He is dead now."
"He was at the front and there were other ranks at a distance."
"So how do you know Leon Fraser was there for sure?"
"He was there for sure."
"Don't you find it convenient that now that he is dead that you remember him and no other rank?"
"I know that he was in the front lines all the time and I don't know any other rank."
Of Rhonda Forde (who was with London and who died during the shoot-out), Armstrong could say very little during the delivery of his evidence-in-chief and under cross-examination.
According to his account he had only seen the woman's body at about 11 pm on the night of February 8 and in a police vehicle, while her body was being moved.
Armstrong was also questioned by the five-member jury. Following his testimony Detective Inspector Deonarine returned to the stand to continue his testimony. He was however unable to complete his evidence and will take the stand again when the Inquest resumes.
The purpose of the inquest is to determine, when, where, how and in what manner London and Forde met their deaths and to determine if anyone is criminally responsible.
London, who was wanted by police for a series of robberies was fatally shot on February 9, 2000 during an armed confrontation with members of the joint services at Toucan Suites after an 11-hour siege.
There are conflicting reports about how Forde met her death. Some suggest that she may have been accidentally shot by the police and others that London himself may have shot her. She was discovered with seven bullet wounds in her body. (Andre Haynes)