In 2013, Toronto police officer, Constable James Forcillo, fired a total of six shots against teenager, Sammy Yatim, who was holding a knife inside an empty car. He was arrested for the death of Yatim. While he was cleared of second-degree murder, the jury found him guilty of attempted murder. The conviction of a policeman for murder is rare in Toronto, and protests from both sides have already sparked.
The Guardian gives more details of the case. Police had asked Yatim to drop his knife and come out from the car. A video of the event showed Forcillo firing a total of six volley shots. Forcillo said he fired those shots for feat that the teenager might attack him. The prosecutor countered that Forcillo's rashness and hot-headed temper caused him to shoot first, without thinking of more peaceful alternatives to subjugate the boy. The jury deemed the first three shots as merited, but the last three as unnecessary and harmful, which led to Yatim's death and Forcillo's conviction.
A report by the Star explores more of Forcillo's defence. The policeman is currently out on bail, but has been suspended from the force without pay. Forcillo said that he shot his gun six times because he believed that his life as well as others were threatened by Yatim's actions. Prior to the arrival of the police, Yatim had walked behind passengers fleeing from the streetcar with the knife on his hand. According to Forcillo, Yatim was "in a ifight until the end." His first three shots caused the teen to collapse on his back; however, despite his wounds, the teenager was still trying to stand up, prompting Forcillo to fire three more shots.
In a related story from CBC News, police union leader Mike McCormack says that the jury's verdict sends a "chilling message" to the police. He adds that the force will appeal the case.
