TORONTO – A funeral will be held Thursday for Sammy Yatim, the 18-year-old man shot by Toronto police on an empty streetcar.
Video of the incident was captured by multiple cellphone and surveillance cameras and has been widely circulated, sparking public anger and a debate over police use of force after Yatim was killed during a stand-off with police early Saturday morning.
The altercation began on the 505 streetcar on Dundas Street West near Bellwoods Avenue. Yatim reportedly brandished a knife and ordered everyone off the streetcar.
Police arrived on the scene and shouted at him multiple times to “drop the knife” before firing three rounds. In the video, Yatim can be seen falling to the floor of the streetcar. Six seconds later, police fired six more shots.
Yatim suffered multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead in hospital.
Yatim’s death has angered many in the city and prompted a debate over police use of force.
On Monday, hundreds of Torontonians took to the streets to protest the police’s handling of the incident.
People in the crowd yelled “Shame!” at police officers monitoring the march. Some held signs that read “Protect us from our protectors” and “Justice for Sammy.”
Yatim’s parents, however, have said they do not blame all of the police for their son’s death.
In a written statement released Tuesday, the family said they “do not hold any ill will against the thousands of police officers who work to protect us each day.”
“This is a tragedy for all involved,” the statement read.
The president of the Toronto Police Association, Mike McCormack, cautioned that the public shouldn’t jump to conclusions before investigators collect all the facts surrounding the shooting.
The shooting is being investigated by Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU). The SIU examines incidents in which police are involved in reports of death, serious injury or allegations of sexual assault.
Toronto Police Chief Bill Blair said the police would fully cooperate with the SIU investigation.
Police Constable James Forcillo, an officer of six years, has been named as the “subject officer” in the SIU investigation. He has been suspended without pay.
Ontario’s ombudsman also weighed in on the case, saying his office would be reviewing the incident to determine if it could trigger a wider investigation.
Yatim’s funeral will take place Thursday at 11am.
*With a file from The Canadian Press
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