A coroner’s inquest is scheduled to begin Thursday into the death of Jamal Francique, a 28-year-old man who died after being shot by Peel regional police during an attempted arrest in Mississauga nearly seven years ago.

Francique died in hospital on Jan. 9, 2020, two days after the shooting. The inquest is expected to last 11 days and hear from nine witnesses, according to reporting published by CityNews and credited to The Canadian Press.

Jurors will examine the circumstances surrounding his death. Coroner’s inquests do not assign blame or legal liability, but juries may recommend measures intended to prevent similar deaths.

Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit cleared the officers of wrongdoing about a year after the shooting. The officer who fired reported fearing for his life when Francique drove toward him, according to the watchdog.

However, the SIU also said aspects of the officer’s conduct raised questions, including his decision to position himself near a fleeing driver.

According to the agency’s account, police had been investigating allegations that Francique was dealing drugs and possessed a firearm. Unable to confirm those allegations, officers decided to arrest him for allegedly breaching bail conditions.

Plainclothes officers in unmarked vehicles waited outside his home. When Francique began driving at about 5:45 p.m., one officer was late moving into position to block the driveway, while another unmarked vehicle approached from behind to try to contain his car, the SIU said.

Other officers left their vehicles and approached with guns drawn. The agency said Francique accelerated toward a grassy area and struck a car as an officer jumped clear. Another officer on foot fired four times as Francique drove toward him.

Francique’s vehicle stopped after hitting a home. Officers waited more than two hours for tactical officers before approaching because they feared he might have a gun, the SIU said. The agency reported that a firearm was later found in his satchel.

Francique’s family disputed the watchdog’s findings. Their lawyer said the case showed the SIU had failed Ontario’s diverse communities. The family later filed a negligence lawsuit against the SIU, police and local paramedics over his death.

Sources