Alain Magloire police shooting inquiry underway

The brother ofAlainMagloire, a Montreal homeless man who died after being shot four times by police in February 2014when he refused to drop the hammer he was wielding, is hoping a public inquiry into his death will lead to lasting change.

• AlainMagloiresought help before being shot dead by police
• No charges laid in fatal Montreal police shooting ofAlainMagloire
• Police shooting ofAlainMagloirerenews calls for reforms
• Brother grapples with police shooting

PierreMagloiresaid he's optimistic the inquiry, which began this morning, will produce improvements in the way police and medical professionals deal with individuals who have mental illness.

"I don't have that much confidence that it's going to change everything, but maybe it (will lead) to one step forward," he told the CBC morning showDaybreak.

Magloire, 41,was the father of two girls and worked as a molecular biology researcher before developing a mental illness.

He was shot dead on Feb. 3 by Montreal police officers outside theBerribus station in downtown Montreal.Officers said he was wielding a hammer in a threatening manner and refused to co-operate.

Minutes before, he had used the hammer to smash the security glass at a hostel front desk after the clerk refused to return his $50 deposit to him.

The prosecutor's office said it reviewedthe investigation by Quebec provincial police and found no grounds to lay charges against the officers involved in the intervention.

JenniferChez, an inspector with Quebec provincial police, testified Monday morning.

She recounted the events leading up toMagloire'sdeath andplayeda series of 911 calls and radio transmissions between police and dispatch officers.

At one point, an officer is heard calling for the policestun guna weapon not all officers are authorized to carrybut it didn't arrive in time.

Chezsaid asquad carcalled to scene near the bus station hitMagloire, andthen an officer tried to tackle him but slipped.

At thatpoint, Magloireraised thehammer he was holding and another officer shotMagloirefour times, the inquiry heard.

Magloirehad sought help

Magloirebegan living on the streets in November 2013, just three months before his death, according to his brother.

Documents obtained by Radio-Canada last weekshowedMagloiresoughthelpfrom medical services that same month, telling staff atMontreal'sSacr-CoeurHospital thathe wanted to kill someone and "wanted to talk toa social worker or psychologist."

Magloirewas released the next day.

PierreMagloiresaid he was "sick to his stomach" when he learned that his brother had tried to get assistance. He said it shows thatAlainslipped through the cracks of the system.

"He was willing to receive treatment," he said.

"It's like if you're going to the hospital with a broken arm and they say, 'oh no, just take a pill and go home.'"

This round ofhearings isexpected to last two weeks and aim to determine the circumstances aroundMagloire'sdeath.

Another session in March will look at social and medical assistance, and help available to people with mental health issues.