– says only he fired shotgun, teargas
Assistant Superintendent of Police Patrick Todd yesterday denied ordering ranks to open fire to clear the Mackenzie-Wismar Bridge of protestors on July 18, saying he was the only person to fire shotgun cartridges and discharge teargas in a bid to disperse the large crowd.
Todd, who said he fired in the air and on the ground, noted that he had not observed any other ranks firing anything—an account that was also endorsed by the then divisional commander, who categorically said that the ammunition used by police could not have killed the protestors.
Todd’s denial came three days after acting Police Commissioner Leroy Brumell identified him—the officer-in-charge of the operation to clear the bridge when three men were killed
