Inquest begins into Babak Saidi's shooting death at OPP detachment

The sister of an eastern Ontario man who was fatally shot at an Ontario Provincial Police (OPP)detachment in 2017says shehopes to learn more about her brother's final minutesduring a coroner's inquest that beginsthis week.

Babak Saidi, 43, died at theOPP detachment in Morrisburg, Ont.,on Dec. 23, 2017,after arriving for his mandatory weekly check-in a condition of a 2014 conviction.

A scuffle ensued, during which an officer fired several shots, killing Saidi.

After investigating the incident, the province's police watchdog concluded there wereno reasonable grounds to lay criminal chargesagainst the officer who shotSaidi.

Saidi'solder sister, Elly, said he had schizophrenia and she hopes any recommendations stemming from the inquestcanhelp save lives in the future.

"Perhaps it will help somebody else dealing with mental health illness," she said.

'It's been a long time'

About a dozen inquest witnesses, including the constable who fatally shot Saidi, are scheduled to testify over four days, according to a scheduleshared by lawyer Christine Johnson, who is representing Saidi's family alongside Paul Champ.

The inquest is also expected to hear from experts on threat and behaviour analysis and use-of-force training, as well as a friend of the Saidi family who witnessed the altercation.

Inquests arenot criminal trials and are instead meant to establish the circumstances surrounding a person's death. A civilian jury may also make recommendations on how similar deaths canbe prevented in the future.

EllySaidi,who is also setto testify,said she's both nervous about the process and relieved it's finally happening.

"It's been a long time that this has been hovering over our head," she said.

Family ready for answers at inquest into Babak Saidi's death

2 years ago

Duration 0:47

Babak Saidi, who lived with a mental illness, was shot dead in December 2017 at an eastern Ontario detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police. His sister, Elly Saidi, speaks about the inquest that will examine his death starting Wednesday.

Elly Saidihas previously viewed video of her brother's encounter with police, but said she was still left with questions.

"It's twominutes, but the whole fighting is less than even 29 seconds. What went wrong? What happened there? My brother had a mental health illness. He was known to them."

Ontario's Special Investigations Unit (SIU) released its findings into the incident more thanthree years ago.

According to the SIU, when Saidi entered the detachment, he was informed he was under arrest for new criminal charges. Saidi told officers he was going outside to tell his father he was being arrested, but police grabbed him, believing he was trying to flee.

A struggle broke out between Saidi and two police officers, andthe melee spilledout in front of the detachment.

Saidi grabbedhold of a Taser, according to the SIU. Fearing that Saidi would overpower him, an officer unholstered his firearm, and when Saidi continued to come toward him, the officer shot Saidi five times. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Elly Saidisaid she hopes the inquestresults in more officer training ondeescalation anddealing with people struggling with mental illness.

Status of internal review unclear

An OPP spokesperson said Tuesday that the force couldn't comment because of the inquest.

When the SIU cleared the officer who shot Saidi, the OPP said it would conduct its own investigation into the conduct of the officers involved.

The OPP spokesperson said the force alsocouldn't comment on that internal review because of the inquest.

Proceedings start at 9:30 a.m.Wednesdayat the Holiday Inn & Suites in Kanata.