Yatim’s family sues Toronto police in wake of teen’s shooting death
Posted July 23, 2014 6:17 am.
Last Updated January 21, 2016 2:12 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The family of the 18-year-old shot and killed on a TTC streetcar last summer has filed a multi-million dollar lawsuit against Toronto Police.
Julian Falconer filed the lawsuit on behalf of Sammy Yatim’s mother and sister, according to the complaint, which was reported first by the Toronto Star. Click here to see the statement of claim. Falconer wasn’t immediately available for comment.
The suit alleges the 20 police officers on the scene when Yatim was shot last July were not properly trained to deal with someone suffering an emotional disturbance and used excessive force.
The lawsuit names Const. James Forcillo — who has been charged with second-degree murder in Yatim’s death — as well as police chief Bill Blair, the Toronto Police Services Board, and two unnamed police officers, including the officer who Tasered Yatim after he was struck by eight of nine bullets that were fired.
Yatim’s family is suing for more than $8-million and claim they are suffering anxiety, depression and physical and psychological conditions.
The defendants have not filed any statements of defence, and police weren’t immediately available for comment.
Falconer has represented other families of people killed at the hands of police, including Ashley Smith and Douglas Minty.
Yatim died July 27, 2013, after police shot the teen on an empty streetcar. He was suffering an acute emotional disturbance, the family said in its statement of claim.
