Ten years after the tragic shooting of her son Sammy Yatim on an empty Toronto streetcar, Sahar Bahadi, Yatim’s mother, remains determined to seek justice and advocate for change in policing. On July 27, 2013, Yatim, an 18-year-old, was shot multiple times by Constable James Forcillo while holding a small knife on the streetcar. The incident, captured on cellphone footage and widely shared online, sparked public outrage and demands for police reform.
As the 10th anniversary of her son’s death approached, Bahadi expressed her concern that her calls for change and justice for her son may no longer be heard. She spoke of feeling let down by the police, government, and the system, and shared her determination to continue fighting for her son’s memory and a better future. The delays in the inquest into Yatim’s death and the slow progress on recommended police reforms have added to her family’s suffering.
Constable James Forcillo was the only officer involved in the shooting, firing three initial shots that caused Yatim to fall, followed by six more shots while he was lying on his back. In 2016, Forcillo was acquitted of second-degree murder for the initial shots but convicted of attempted murder for the subsequent volley. He began serving a six-and-a-half-year sentence in 2017 and was granted full parole in 2020.
The inquest into Yatim’s death, which was set to start last November, faced further delays as Forcillo argued for an examination of the possibility that Yatim died by “suicide by cop,” a theory rejected by the presiding coroner.
The tragedy of Yatim’s death has had a profound impact on his family, particularly his younger sister, who suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder and depression. The family continues to seek changes in the policing culture, advocating against quick resorting to violence and lethal force.
In 2016, the Ontario ombudsman, Paul Dube, made recommendations, including the establishment of standardized, mandatory de-escalation training for police forces, in response to Yatim’s death. However, progress in implementing these recommendations has been slow, and Dube’s office expressed discouragement at the lack of clear progress.
The Office of Solicitor General Michael Kerzner stated that they have updated Ontario’s use-of-force model and incorporated training at various levels for officers. Nevertheless, concerns about de-escalation and restraint in the use of force persist.
A separate investigation led by Justice Frank Iacobucci resulted in 84 recommendations for the Toronto police, with many related to crisis training and the use of force. Although progress has been made, challenges remain.
The 10-year anniversary of Yatim’s death serves as a reminder of the need for continued oversight and review of policing practices. For Yatim’s mother, the recommendations made in the aftermath of her son’s death must translate into concrete action and meaningful change, ensuring that no other family has to endure a similar tragedy. She fondly remembers Sammy as a gentle, intelligent, and artistic young man who protected and loved his family deeply. The pain and suffering from his loss remain as poignant today as they were a decade ago.