Sammy Yatim 'oblivious' to police warnings: eyewitness
Sammy Yatim didn't seem to react to what was going on in the moments before he was shot by police Const. James Forcillo, an eyewitness told a Toronto court on Tuesday.
Forcillo, 32, is charged with second-degree murder and attempted murder in connection with Yatim's death aboard a Toronto streetcar on July 26, 2013. He has pleaded not guilty.
The jury at the Toronto police officer's high-profile trial has already seen video of the shooting and heard from several witnesses. Yatim, 18, had exposed himself and brandished a switchblade aboard the Dundas streetcar, forcing passengers to flee before Forcillo and several other police officers arrived on the scene.
Witness Jesse Grasso testified that he was standing outside a restaurant near Dundas and Grace streets when he saw the streetcar stop and people begin to run off. One passenger told him a guy on the streetcar had a knife, had his pants down and was threatening girls.
Grasso watched through the streetcar's windows as the situation unfolded.
"His face looked a little glossed over. He didn't react to what was going on," Grasso said.
The teenager continued to appear "oblivious" as police arrived on scene and yelled at him to drop the knife. Grasso testified he then heard the words "don't move" before hearing gunshots.
Forcillo fired at Yatim nine times, striking him with eight bullets.
Jeremy Ing, who was on the streetcar with Yatim, also testified on Tuesday.
He told court he heard screaming at the back of the TTC streetcar and turned to see Yatim walking forward with a knife in one hand and his penis in the other.
Ing fled through the front door of the streetcar along with others. No passengers were hurt.
