Andrew Loku
Andrew Loku, 45, was shot and killed by a Toronto police officer. Loku, a refugee from South Sudan, had Posttraumatic Stress Disorder.
Police say officers were responding a call about a man who threatened his neighbors with a hammer on July 5, 2015. Officers arrived at an apartment building. One of officers shot Loku after he allegedly raised his hands with the hammer and moved towards officers. Loku was 8,5 meters away from them.
In 2017 officers were cleared but in May 2021 an attorney representing Loku’s family called for re-opening of investigation due to mistakes in the previous investigation.
MASS MEDIA ABOUT THE CASE:
“They shot him because they let their fear of a black man with a hammer (8.5 metres) away overcome what should have been a compassionate and humane response,” said a lawyer representing Loku’s family.
“I don’t think Andrew needed to die,” the family’s lawyer said. “There were a number of failings with respect to the training and the handling of this situation that precipitated his death.”
CASE STATUS:
The initiative group has requested the clarification from Attorney General of Canada David T. Lametti and Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau. The initiative group believes it is important to fight against police brutality and, if necessary, will provide legal and financial assistance to the family of the victim.
Letter to Trudeau
Letter to Lametti
