TORONTO – The family of an 18-year-old shot and killed by Toronto Police is about to take legal action.
Sammy Yatim was gunned down on July 27 of last year during an incident on a Toronto streetcar.
Yatim’s mother and sister have filed an $8-million lawsuit against the officer who fired the fatal shots, Constable James Forcillo, as well as Chief Bill Blair.
Forcillo faces second degree murder charges in relation to the shooting.
The suit alleges officers at the scene acted with reckless disregard for Yatim’s life.
According to the Toronto Star, prominent Toronto lawyer Julian Falconer has taken up the case.
The lawsuit alleges malice, negligence, and incompetence as well as excessive and unreasonable use of force.
Meanwhile, a much-anticipated report on the use of lethal force by Toronto police is scheduled to be released on Thursday.
Frank Iacobucci, former Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada, was tasked by Chief Blair to conduct an independent review in August 2013 following the shooting death of Yatim.
The report will set out 84 recommendation which is expected to be a blueprint for the Toronto Police Service in dealing with people in crisis.
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