Timeline of Beau Baker coroner's inquest: CBC coverage

Beau Baker, 20, was shot and killed by a Waterloo Regional Police Serviceofficer on April 2, 2015 outside Baker's home on 77 Brybeck Cres.in Kitchener, Ont.

On the night he was shot, Baker called 911 threatening to kill himself and harm others. Baker's family have said he had "documented mental health issues."

Ontario's police watchdog, the Special Investigations Unit, saidthere were no reasonable grounds to charge the officerwho fired the fatal shot in Baker's death, saying his actions were justifiable.

A coroner's inquest was first called in August2016 but faced several delays. The jury will make recommendations to prevent future similar deaths.

The inquest began in Toronto on March 20, 2023. This is CBC's coverage of the trial:

Inquest begins

The coroner's inquestbegan with inquest council, Julian Roy, presenting visual and audio evidence to the jury to help them make their decision. They heard a9/11 call with Baker, and an interview with Baker's roommate and neighbour after his death. The audiopainted a picture of the events leading up to andincluding the shootingand the aftermath that followed.

Officer testifies

The jury heard from the Waterloo Regional Police Services (WRPS) officer who responded to Beau Baker's 911 calland subsequently shot the 20-year old. They heard the officerwasn't equipped with a Taser.

Officer describesshooting

The WRPSofficer who shot and killed Baker detailed the moments leading up to the 20-year-old's death. He offered a tearful apology to Baker'sfamily.

Psychiatrist testifies

A psychiatrist andexpert witness who reviewed Beau Baker's health records says he showed signs of emotional and behavioural problems in his pre-school years that were identified but not properly addressed. He was diagnosed with ADHD, depression, anxiety and suicidal ideation. In the year before his death he visited local emergency departments26 times for suicide ideation, suicidal behaviour and non-suicidal self injuries.

Police address 911 response

Waterloo Regional Police Service Staff Supt.John Goodman told the coroner'sinquest the police response to Baker's 911 call would have been the same today as it was in 2015. He saidit would have been considered a criminal call. Mental health workers would only be brought in when it was safe to do so.

Jackie Baker testifies

Beau Baker's mother, Jackie, described his childhood:from creative toddler, to the circumstances under which he and his brothers were placed in foster care and group homes, and the anger and sadness she saw in Beau following the death of his grandmother.

Jury deliberates

Dr. David Eden, who is presiding over the inquest, charged the jury on the afternoon of March 30. The jury cannot make a finding of guilt, but rather will make recommendations to prevent similar deaths from happening in the future.

Jury makes recommendations

The jury ruled Baker's death was a suicide andmade 24 recommendations. Most of those recommendations were directed towardpolice, municipal and the provincial government. In particular the jury called on the Region of Waterloo and the province to create youth wellness hubs to better support young people.