‘We grew up together in Aleppo, Syria. At family visits, Sammy used to always make everyone laugh with constant jokes. His humour and wit always left a smile on peoples’ faces.’
Protesters march down Dundas Street on July 29 to where Sammy Yatim was shot dead by Toronto police. Photo: Mick Sweetman/The Dialog
Tina Todaro
Staff Reporter
On July 27, the police gunned down Sammy Yatim, 18, in an empty streetcar at Dundas St. and Bellwoods Ave.
James Forcillo, 30, a police constable was charged with second-degree murder by the Special Investigations Unit (SIU). Forcillo is now awaiting trial. Eight of the nine shots fired at Yatim hit him, and bystanders captured the shooting with their cell phones and posted the video on Youtube.
Nour Issa had known Yatim since they were children. She remembers growing up with him, and all the memories he has now left behind.
“Sammy was always a lively and energetic kid, at every playground and every birthday party,” said Issa. “We grew up together in Aleppo, Syria. At family visits, Sammy used to always make everyone laugh with constant jokes. His humour and wit always left a smile on people’s face.”
The death of Yatim, Toronto’s latest victim of a police shooting, has left many in devastation and shock. “He was a handsome young man who wanted nothing out of life but independence, safety and happiness,” said Issa. “Sammy was happy, shy to strangers, independent, lovable, and very caring with a big heart.”
On Aug.13, two weeks following Yatim’s death, Sammy’s Fight for Justice held a rally in support of the teen and marched from Dundas Square to the Police Headquarters at 40 College Street. The screams and cries flew through Dundas Square as people gathered to remember the teen whose life was cut short.
Left to right, Ahmad Kalaji, Nour Issa and Sammy Yatim enjoy a visit to Canada’s Wonderland in 2011. Photo courtesy of Nour Issa
“When my brother and I got into arguments about silly sibling stuff he would always be the mediator and tell us that it’s not worth the fight even though his favorite hobby was picking on his own sister, and she loved it”, remembers Issa. “He lived a normal life filled with laughter no matter what his mood was.”
This week, Yatim would have entered his first semester of Health Information Management Program; a two-year diploma at Waterfront campus of George Brown College. The program consists of anatomy, physiology and other medical-related courses.
“His mother was a paediatrician with her own practice in Syria. He grew up around the health industry all his life and loved visiting her at her clinic,” said Issa.
Ahmad Kalaji, 18, an acquaintance of Yatim said, “He was really nice the first time I met him in 2007, I believe he was just visiting Canada.”
Kalaji had met Yatim at a family friend’s house where he remembered how well they got along. “We were the same age and were from the same city, Allepo.”
The day Forcillo was charged Yatim’s sister Sarah Ann Yatim wrote on twitter, “The SIU charged the cop with 2nd degree murder!!! Good morning JUSTICE.”
