Yatim's Killer Charged With Murder

The Execution of Sammy Yatim

Toronto constable James Forcillo has been charged with second degree murder in the execution of Sammy Yatim in a Toronto streetcar on July 27th.


Over a span of 13 seconds, Forcillo fired nine rounds from his sidearm at the young man who stood alone in the empty streetcar.

Within the first two seconds Forcillo fired three rounds sending Yatim to the floor from which he never rose.

Then followed a break of almost five seconds before Forcillo fired another four rounds then a pause and the eighth round, another pause, and the ninth round.

It was that initial, five-second pause that transforms this into two distinct shooting events.   However arguable the use of deadly force might have been at the outset when, in the first two seconds, Forcillo fired the first three rounds, there is no question that Yatim was down, seriously wounded, and no conceivable threat to Forcillo or the platoon of fellow cops at his side when the officer chose to fire his remaining six rounds into the prone and stationary body of this young man.

It's hard to imagine the authorities proceeding with the second-degree murder charge.  Watch for counsel to plea bargain this down to manslaughter with a very reduced sentence.