Doctor 'astounded' to learn police shot Sylvia Klibingaitis

A psychiatrist who once treated Sylvia Klibingaitis told an inquest Tuesday about the shock of learning that she had been shot dead by Toronto police.

Klibingaitis was shot dead by police in October of 2011, after making a 911 call and telling the operator she had a knife and wanted to harm her mother.

Dr. Gerald Shugar once treated Klibingaitis for about a year and a half prior to her death.

Shugar told the inquest Tuesday that he had prescribed anti-psychotic medication for Klibingaitis because she had delusional beliefs.

But he said she never showed any signs of violence.

"It was certainly astounding to me to find out she was dead," Shugar said Tuesday.

The inquest also heard testimony from Warren Griffiths, a tenant who lived with Klibingaitis and her mother.

He was in the basement of the house and heard the shots that killed Klibingaitis on Oct. 7, 2011.

Griffiths said he was shocked to learn an officer killed her because she had lunged at him with a knife.

"She was caring, she was always trying to brighten up your day," he said outside the inquest on Tuesday.

The current inquest is examining the deaths of three individuals with mental-health issues who were shot dead by Toronto police in separate incidents over the past three years.

All three of the deceased were holding sharp objects when they were shot.