tags: officer involved shooting, muslim/mideast suspect, officer charged with murder, protest, execution, christian suspect
Before Michael Brown and Black lives matter there was Sammy Yatim, an innocent and misunderstood Syrian Canadian christian boy who who brutally murdered and executed merely for exposing himself and threatening a streetcar and cops with a knife. The police officer responsible now faces murder charges after the incident went viral on youtube.
1 man armed with knife killed, officer charged with murder July 27, 2013 Death of Sammy Yatim By Toronto Cops The death of Sammy Yatim occurred on the evening of , in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Yatim, an 18-year-old Toronto man, was shot eight times and missed once by 30-year-old Toronto Police Service officer James Forcillo. He later died from the injuries.[2] The incident occurred on the westbound 505 Dundas streetcar line at Dundas Street West and Bellwoods Avenue, after Yatim brandished a three-inch knife and exposed himself. After being shot, he was Tasered.[4] He was pronounced dead at St. Michael's Hospital. Hundreds of mourners came to the Syrian Orthodox Church service.The incident was recorded and footage of it was released for public viewing. On August 19, 2013, officer James Forcillo was charged with second-degree murder. On July 30, 2014, he was additionally charged with attempted murder.
*Issues
*Reference
Wikipedia
Death of Sammy Yatim
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 Graffiti on a Toronto sidewalk in memory of Sammy Yatim, July 31, 2013. | |
| Time | Just after 12:00AM |
|---|---|
| Date | July 27, 2013 |
| Location | Dundas Street and Bellwoods Avenue, Toronto, Ontario,Canada |
| Participants | James Forcillo (shooter) |
| Deaths | Sammy Yatim |
| Charges | Second degree murder Attempted murder |
| Litigation | $8-million lawsuit filed against Toronto Police Service by Sammy Yatim's family[1] |
The death of Sammy Yatim occurred on the evening of July 27, 2013, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Yatim, an 18-year-old Toronto man, was shot eight times and missed once by 30-year-old Toronto Police Service officer James Forcillo. He later died from the injuries.[2] The incident occurred on the westbound 505 Dundas streetcar line at Dundas Street West and Bellwoods Avenue, after Yatim brandished a three-inch knife and exposed himself.[3] After being shot, he was Tasered.[4] He was pronounced dead at St. Michael's Hospital.
The incident was recorded and footage of it was released for public viewing. On August 19, 2013, James Forcillo was charged with second-degree murder. On July 30, 2014, he was additionally charged with attempted murder.
In July 2014, an $8-million lawsuit was filed against Toronto Police Service by Sammy Yatim's family.[1] The shooting and subsequent investigation and trial have raised questions about police accountability in Toronto.[5]
Contents
[hide]Shooting[edit]
At 10:30 pm on July 27, Sammy Yatim boarded a streetcar on the 505 Dundas line.[6] Sometime afterwards, he drew his three-inch knife and told passengers to remain on the streetcar, reportedly acting aggressively towards other passengers.[7] Fearing for their lives, the passengers promptly tried to escape. Yatim then revised his demands, ordering everyone off the streetcar. He began to approach the driver of the vehicle but stopped to shout obscenities at the crowd gathering outside. The driver of the streetcar remained at the controls until shortly before police arrived.[8]
Passenger and witness Aaron Li-Hill said that upon boarding the streetcar he initially noticed Yatim sitting at the back, across from a group of teenage girls.[8] He later heard giggling from the back of the streetcar followed by a scream, then saw Yatim brandishing a knife as the girls ran past him toward the front doors.[8] According to witness Jessica Doyle, another passenger on the streetcar, Yatim seemed irate, mentally unstable, and oblivious to her presence as he walked directly past her aboard the streetcar.[9] Doyle reported that as he walked past her, Yatim was holding his exposed genitals in his left hand and a knife in his right hand.[9] According to Melody Garcia, another passenger, Yatim "took his penis out with one hand and a knife in another, threatening four girls and all the lives of people on that bus."[8]
Police arrived at the scene. At the front of the vehicle, Constable James Forcillo of the Toronto Police Service called for a Taser multiple times, believing the situation "could be contained".[7]According to videos of the incident, police asked Yatim to drop the knife and warned him not to "take one step in this direction". Forcillo then fired nine; three initially, followed by an additional six about five seconds later. Approximately 30 seconds later, another officer Tasered Yatim.[7][10]
It was later determined that eight of the nine shots fired hit Yatim. Surveillance video suggests that Yatim was lying on the ground when the last six shots were fired.[10][11]
Backgrounds[edit]
James Forcillo[edit]
James Forcillo was born December 30, 1982, in Montreal, Quebec. He is a second-generation Italian-Canadian.[12][13] He was a constable with six years on the force at the time of the shooting.[14] Forcillo graduated from a justice program at East Los Angeles College in Monterey Park, California, United States, and received a psychology degree from York University in Toronto. Forcillo worked as a security guard in Toronto, and then was employed as a court services officer for three years. Up until Yatim's death, Forcillo worked as a patrol officer for three years.[13]
Sammy Yatim[edit]
Sammy Adib Yatim was an ethnic Assyrian born on November 5, 1994, in Aleppo, Syria. It is unclear what provoked Yatim's behaviour the night he was shot. His family claimed that he had no history of mental illness or violence.[15] Yatim emigrated to Toronto from Aleppo, Syria, with his family in 2008.[16] He had recently graduated from Brebeuf College School in North York, Toronto and had told a friend he intended to focus on his education.[16]
SIU response and criminal trial[edit]
The event received national coverage and attention,[17] spawning street and online protests. The first protest blocked traffic on Dundas street downtown.[18][19]
On August 8, the Ontario Ombudsman, André Marin, launched a review of police tactics for defusing heated situations, in the wake of public outcry over Yatim's death. The decision was criticized by the Toronto Police Association as a grandstanding political move, and the review as too vague in its goals.[20]
On August 12, Toronto police chief Bill Blair announced he had enlisted former Associate Chief Justice of Ontario, Dennis O'Connor, to conduct an internal review of the use of force by police, and recommend ways police can better respond to situations involving the mentally unstable.[21] On August 28, however, O'Connor withdrew from the police probe due to a potential conflict of interest.[22]
There is no known investigation into the use of the Taser in the incident or into videos which allegedly show a police officer kicking shell casings inside the yellow police tape at the scene of the shooting.[10]
On August 19, the Ontario Special Investigations Unit (SIU) announced James Forcillo was charged with second-degree murder, and surrendered on August 20. If convicted, the minimum sentence is life imprisonment without parole eligibility for at least ten years.[23]
Free on $510,000 bail, Forcillo was not required to appear at the next stage of his preliminary hearing on December 11. Toronto police have stayed a disciplinary charge of discreditable conduct under the Police Services Act of Ontario until the criminal trial has finished.[24] Despite this, he has returned to work, although he does not have a firearm nor is he wearing a TPS uniform. McCormack responded by saying "the situation is not unusual for officers who have been suspended."[25]
On June 17, 2014, the preliminary inquiry ended with judge Richard LeDressay ordering Forcillo to stand trial in 2015. Evidence presented in the inquiry is under a publication ban. Forcillo continues to serve as a Toronto Crime Stoppers administrator.[26] A specific trial date will be set on July 30.[27]
On July 30, 2014, Crown prosecutors added the charge of attempted murder "by shooting (Yatim) with a firearm and thereby wounding him."[28]
See also[edit]
- References[edit] ^ Jump up to:a b Hough, Jennifer. Sammy Yatim’s family sues Toronto police for $8-million for using ‘excessive’ force the night of streetcar shooting, National Post, July 23, 2014. Jump up^ Alamenciak, Tim (August 24, 2013). "Who was Sammy Yatim?". The Star. Retrieved2014-07-30. Jump up^ Thursday, August 1, 2013 8:42 PM EDT Facebook Twitter RSS (July 30, 2013). "Sammy Yatim: ‘This is a tragedy for all involved,’ family says | Toronto Star". Thestar.com. Retrieved2013-08-02. Jump up^ Kathryn Blaze Carlson (August 2, 2013). "Toronto witness recalls scene on streetcar before Sammy Yatim’s death". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 2013-08-02. Jump up^ Levin, Jamie (July 30, 2013). "Sammy Yatim shooting puts police accountability front and centre?". The Star. Retrieved 2014-12-18. Jump up^ Alamenciak, Tim. For Sammy Yatim’s father, ‘horrible nightmare’ continues, The Hamilton Spectator, July 31, 2014. ^ Jump up to:a b c Visser, Josh (August 19, 2013). "Toronto police officer charged with second degree murder in streetcar shooting death of Sammy Yatim". The National Post. Retrieved August 20,2013. ^ Jump up to:a b c d Torstar, Staff (2013-07-31). "Tourist recounts Sammy Yatim’s behaviour on Toronto streetcar | Metro". Metronews.ca. Retrieved 2013-08-04. ^ Jump up to:a b Thursday, August 1, 2013 8:42 PM EDT Facebook Twitter RSS (2013-07-18). "Sammy Yatim ‘wasn’t stable,’ says witness on streetcar | Toronto Star". Thestar.com. Retrieved2013-08-02. ^ Jump up to:a b c Warmington, Joe (August 22, 2013). "8 of 9 shots fired at Sammy Yatim hit the teen".Ottawa Sun. Retrieved August 22, 2013. Jump up^ New video appears to show Sammy Yatim already on ground during last six shots,MetroNews.ca, July 30, 2013. Jump up^ [1] ^ Jump up to:a b "A look at the life of James Forcillo, the officer charged in Toronto's streetcar shooting", by Kathryn
Jump up^ Tepper, Sean (July 29, 2013). "Sammy Yatim: Officer in streetcar shooting suspended".Toronto Star. Retrieved August 21, 2013.
Jump up^ Pagliaro, Jennifer (August 19
, 2013). "Sammy Yatim: Timeline of events after teen shot dead". Toronto Star. Retrieved August 21, 2013.
^ Jump up to:a b CBC News (July 31, 2013). "Toronto streetcar shooting changes 2 lives forever".Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved August 21, 2013.
Jump up^ Jul 30, 2013 5:14 PM ET. "Yatim family 'heart-broken, confused' over teen's death - Toronto - CBC News". Cbc.ca. Retrieved 2013-08-02.
Jump up^ "Renewed protests planned in Toronto over Sammy Yatim shooting", by Vidya Kauri, The Globe and Mail
Jump up^ "Petition | Justice for Sammy Yatim: Charge the Police Officer Responsible". Change.org. 2013-07-27. Retrieved 2013-08-02.
Jump up^ Gallant, Jacques (9 August 2013). "Sammy Yatim shooting: Ombudsman calls look at de-escalation techniques a ‘win-win’". Toronto Star. Retrieved 12 August 2013.
Jump up^ Bosanac, Alexandra (12 August 2013). "Toronto police chief enlists retired judge to examine police use of force after fatal streetcar shooting". National Post. Retrieved 13 August 2013.
Jump up^ Carlson, Kathryn Blaze (28 August 2013). "O’Connor withdraws from police probe amid controversy over his appointment". Globe & Mail (Toronto). Retrieved 28 August 2013.
Jump up^ Criminal Code
Jump up^ "Disciplinary charge of cop in Sammy Yatim death on hold", The Canadian Press.
Jump up^ "Sammy Yatim killing: Const. James Forcillo back at work with TPS - Toronto - CBC News".CBC News.
Jump up^ "Toronto cop James Forcillo to go on trial for second-degree murder in streetcar shooting of Sammy Yatim", by The Canadian Press, via The National Post
Jump up^ "PC James Forcillo to stand trial on second degree murder", by Marianne Boucher, CityNews Toronto
Jump up^ "Toronto officer faces extra charge in Sammy Yatim shooting case", by The Canadian Press, via The Globe and Mail
'Let's be strong:' Sammy Yatim's sister urges mourners at ...
news.nationalpost.com/.../funeral-today-for-sammy-yatim-1...
Aug 1, 2013 - “If Sammy was here right now, he would be like 'Change this funeral. ...for the Syrian Orthodox Church service for Sammy Yatim, who lay ...The boy died early Saturday, shot by a Toronto Police officer while he stood on a Dundas West streetcar armed with a small knife.National Post
Syriac parish rallies around slain teen Sammy Yatim's family
www.catholicregister.org/.../16792-syriac-parish-rallie...
Aug 30, 2013 - TORONTO - The Syriac Orthodox parish of St. Barsaumo has rallied ...1 funeral, Yatim's sister Sarah vowed to fight for justice for Sammy.The Catholic Register
Sammy Yatim: Priest asks police to serve 'compassionately ...
www.thestar.com/.../sammy_tatim_funeral_held_today_for_...
Aug 1, 2013 - Family and friends attended Sammy Yatim's funeral at Highland Funeral... The Syriac Orthodox priest, Father Estephanos Issa, said the family ...Toronto Star
Sammy Yatim's family says final goodbye - Toronto Sun
www.torontosun.com/.../funeral-to-be-held-for-sammy-yati...
Aug 1, 2013 - Mourners attend the funeral of Sammy Yatim on Aug. .... of St. Barsaumo Syriac Orthodox Church, said “Sammy” immigrated with his family from ...Toronto Sun
Sammy Yatim Funeral: Teen Shot By Police On Toronto ...
www.huffingtonpost.ca/2013/08/.../sammy-yatim-funeral_n_3686876.ht...
Aug 1, 2013 - Sammy Yatim's mother reached out to touch him a few times as friends and family ... Estephanos Issa of the Syrian Orthodox Church. But in the ...Quotes on Sammy Yatim's death | Metro
metronews.ca/news/canada/.../quotes-on-sammy-yatims-deat...
Aug 1, 2013 - Here are some quotes from Sammy Yatim's family, police and ... Issa of the Syrian Orthodox Church told mourners at Yatim's funeral.Metro News
Sammy Yatim's sister urges mourners to act - Macleans.ca
www.macleans.ca/.../sammy-yatims-sister-urges-mourners-to-ta...
Aug 1, 2013 - Sammy Yatim's mother reached out to touch him a few times as friends and family ... Estephanos Issa of the Syrian Orthodox Church. But in the ...Maclean's
Sammy Yatim's family questions why he was tasered - The ...
www.theglobeandmail.com › News › Toronto
Aug 2, 2013 - Among the many questions surrounding Sammy Yatim's death, his family is wondering why he was tasered as he lay on the floor of a streetcar .The Globe and Mail
Sammy Yatim, teen killed on Toronto streetcar, honoured ...
www.ctvnews.ca/.../sammy-yatim-teen-killed-on-toronto-stree...Aug 1, 2013 - Though Yatim's life was unexpectedly cut short, Estephanos Issa, the priest who led the Syrian Orthodox Church service, urged mourners to ...
CTV News
Death of Sammy Yatim - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_of_Sammy_YatimThe death of Sammy Yatim occurred on the evening of July 27, 2013, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Yatim, an 18-year-old Toronto man, was shot eight times and ...
Wikipedia
- More images for sammy yatim
The Killing of Sammy Yatim | Toronto Life
www.torontolife.com/informer/.../the-killing-sammy-yatim/
Toronto Life
Aug 14, 2014 - The death of Sammy Yatim unleashed a torrent of anti-police outrage. For most Torontonians, the video was the verdict. But what really ...
You visited this page on 6/10/15.
Enhanced video - Shooting of Sammy Yatim by Toronto ...
▶ 2:20
www.youtube.com/watch?v=lG6OTyjzAgg
Jul 28, 2013 - Uploaded by TheEditPlayer
Sammy Yatim, 18, was shot dead while on a TTC streetcar by Toronto Police Const. James Forcillo on July 27 ...
Toronto Life's troubled defense of the cop who killed Sammy ... canadalandshow August 19, 2014Mary Rogan's cover story in this month's Toronto Life promises to deliver "the untold story of the cop who pulled the trigger" in the shooting of Sammy Yatim.
ndeed, a detailed biography of police officer and accused murderer James Forcillo is presented, with his childhood, his stylish wife, his years of service and his "shy, quiet" personality all described. A photo of Forcillo pushing his baby daughter in a swing is included. But before that, Rogan provides a quick account of Sammy Yatim's last moments unlike any other that has appeared in the press to date.
A “good shoot”?
According to Rogan, Sammy Yatim tried to slash a woman's throat shortly before he was shot to death by Const. James Forcillo. He also lunged at a streetcar driver with his blade, she writes, and could have reached Forcillo "in one leap" had the officer not shot him. What's more, if Forcillo had allowed Yatim to exit the streetcar, innocent bystanders would have been in the line of police gunfire, and so Forcillo's actions, Rogan's piece suggests, were consistent with his training.
“That’s absurd,” says lawyer Peter Rosenthal, who has represented the families of people killed by police, and who has followed the Yatim case closely. “The video speaks for itself and speaks very loudly. Yatim wasn’t exiting the streetcar. We can see that he was not in a position to harm anyone. His killing can’t be described as anything but a methodical execution.”
Aug 19, 2014 -
Toronto Life’s troubled defense of the cop who killed Sammy Yatim
Jesse Brown • August 19, 2014
Mary Rogan's cover story in this month's Toronto Life promises to deliver "the untold story of the cop who pulled the trigger" in the shooting of Sammy Yatim.
Indeed, a detailed biography of police officer and accused murderer James Forcillo is presented, with his childhood, his stylish wife, his years of service and his "shy, quiet" personality all described. A photo of Forcillo pushing his baby daughter in a swing is included. But before that, Rogan provides a quick account of Sammy Yatim's last moments unlike any other that has appeared in the press to date.
A “good shoot”?
According to Rogan, Sammy Yatim tried to slash a woman's throat shortly before he was shot to death by Const. James Forcillo. He also lunged at a streetcar driver with his blade, she writes, and could have reached Forcillo "in one leap" had the officer not shot him. What's more, if Forcillo had allowed Yatim to exit the streetcar, innocent bystanders would have been in the line of police gunfire, and so Forcillo's actions, Rogan's piece suggests, were consistent with his training.
“That’s absurd,” says lawyer Peter Rosenthal, who has represented the families of people killed by police, and who has followed the Yatim case closely. “The video speaks for itself and speaks very loudly. Yatim wasn’t exiting the streetcar. We can see that he was not in a position to harm anyone. His killing can’t be described as anything but a methodical execution.”
Second charge laid against Toronto cop in Sammy Yatim ...
www.thestar.com/.../toronto_cop_charged_with_attempted_...
- Jul 30, 2014 - The Toronto officer charged with second-degree murder in the streetcar shooting of Sammy Yatim last summer has been charged again.Toronto Star
Sammy Yatim | GTA | Toronto Star
www.thestar.com/news/gta/sammyyatim.htmlSammy Yatim: Timeline after a Toronto teen was shot by police on a TTC streetcar ... Second charge laid against Toronto cop in Sammy Yatim shooting. Wed Jul ...
Toronto StarSammy Yatim shooting: Const. James Forcillo to face added ...
www.cbc.ca/.../sammy-yatim-shooting-const-james-forcillo-to-fac...Jul 30, 2014 - The police officer charged in last summer's shooting death of Toronto teenager Sammy Yatim will face a new charge of attempted murder ...
CBC.caSammy Yatim | National Post
news.nationalpost.com/tag/sammy-yatimA judicial pretrial has been set for James Forcillo for this September, but the Toronto police officer is not expected to stand trial in the shooting death of Sammy ...
National Post
No comments:
Post a Comment