Coroner announces inquest into police shooting death of Sammy Yatim

Ontario's coroner's officeis launching an inquest into the death of Sammy Yatim, an 18-year-old who died after beingshot eight times by Toronto police Const. James Forcillo on a streetcar in2013.

Dr. David Cameron will preside as inquest coroner and Michael Blain will be counsel to the coroner.

The recommendations that come from coroner's inquests in Ontario aren't legally binding. The jury does not assign blame, but instead suggests policy and procedural changes various agencies can make to prevent future deaths.

Yatim was shot after police were called to a streetcar where hehad exposed himself and was brandishing a knife.

Forcillo, one of the first officers to arrive,fired three initial shots, which caused Yatim to fall to the floor of the streetcar. Forcillothen fired six more times.

The former Toronto police officerwas convicted of attempted murder, and aftera complicated journey through the legal systemis now serving a six-year sentence.

Sgt. Dusan Dan PravicaTasered Yatim shortly after he had been shot.

Pravica was facing apolice disciplinary tribunal misconduct charge, but it was withdrawn last week.