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The family of a 19-year-old man killed in a police-involved shooting in August protested outside Toronto police headquarters Saturday, calling for answers on what led to the incident.
Relatives have identified him as 19-year-old Kaleym Davy.
Davy’s aunts, Kellise and Janelle Davy, said the family has been left in the dark about the circumstances in which he died on Aug. 6.
“I find it to be a complete disregard to the family,” Janelle told CBC Toronto. “We want to know why this excessive force, why he was taken down as some type of notorious gang member.”
Ontario’s police watchdog is investigating the incident, which took place in Mississauga, near Council Ring Road and The Collegeway.
The Toronto Police Service had been tracking a Mercedes in connection with a firearms investigation, according to the Special Investigations Unit (SIU).
At the time of the incident, SIU spokesperson Monica Hudon said officers located and tracked a Mercedes that had been reported stolen the day prior in Mississauga. The SIU then received updated information indicating the vehicle was not stolen, the police watchdog said.
Five unmarked Toronto police vehicles were involved and three of them crashed into the Mercedes, according to Hudon. She has previously said an officer then shot at least once into the vehicle and hit the driver — a 19-year-old man.
At Saturday’s protest, Davy’s family said they have been left in the dark. (Chris Langenzarde/CBC)
He was later pronounced dead at the scene, Hudon said. The Mercedes had four people inside and the three passengers were taken into custody, according to the SIU. They are all facing firearm-related charges.
Toronto police allege that when they tried to stop the car, a suspect tried to flee and struck a plainclothes officer.
At the time of the incident, Hudon said there was no information on what led to the shooting and how many shots were fired, but that there was no indication of an exchange of gunfire. She said two other firearms were located “in the vicinity of the Mercedes.”
Toronto police and the SIU have not publicly identified Davy as the man killed.
At the time of the incident, SIU spokesperson Monica Hudon said officers located and tracked a Mercedes that had been reported stolen the day prior in Mississauga. The SIU then received updated information indicating the vehicle was not stolen, the police watchdog said. (Chris Langenzarde/CBC)
The lack of clarity has contributed to the family’s devastation, Janelle said.
“The whole family is in turmoil over this,” she said.
“This is our nephew and somebody’s child and somebody’s son,” Kellise added. “It’s very traumatizing. It’s very unfortunate, it’s very sickening that this happened.”
Kellise said Davy was on his way to graduating, planned to pursue carpentry, and played sports.
“He was very athletic, he was very studious. He was very outgoing, creative, innovative,” she said. “He was such a great cook at such a young age.”
He had his future ahead of him, Janelle added. “His life was just snuffed out and he wasn’t even given a chance.”
Toronto police told CBC Toronto Saturday it had nothing further to add as the matter is before the courts and the SIU is investigating.
In a statement to CBC Toronto Saturday, Hudon said the investigation is ongoing and the SIU is committed to supporting and providing information to loved ones.
“In this case, the family was offered and provided support through an assigned staff member from the SIU’s Affected Persons Program,” she said. “This support began at the outset of the investigation and continues to include regular check-ins in the weeks following.”
The lead investigator provided an update to next of kin last week, Hudon added.
“The SIU is committed to providing accurate information to the public while balancing transparency and the integrity of the investigation,” she said.