Closing arguments underway at inquest into death of Toronto man shot by police
TORONTO — A hammer-wielding man who was shot dead by Toronto police two years ago did not need to die, the lawyer representing his family said in pushing for a transformation of police culture and training.
Jonathan Shime told a coroner’s inquest Monday the officers who confronted Andrew Loku at an apartment building in the city opened fire because they panicked and “lost sight of good sense and their training.”
“They shot him because they let their fear of a black man with a hammer (8.5 metres) away overcome what should have been a compassionate and humane response,” Shime said in his closing arguments.
“If only they had let compassion guide them instead of fear, if only they had let good sense and training guide them instead of panic, if only they had followed a multitude of recommendations made by previous inquests, then Andrew would be alive today.”