Toronto police showed “reckless disregard” for the life of 18-year-old Sammy Yatim, and used excessive and unreasonable force against a young man suffering an “acute emotional disturbance” on the night of his death, family members of the shooting victim allege in a multimillion-dollar lawsuit filed earlier this year.

The Star has learned that Sahar Bahadi, Yatim’s mother, and his sister Sarah Yatim filed a lawsuit in February against Toronto Police chief Bill Blair, the Toronto Police Services Board, two unnamed police officers and Const. James Forcillo, who is currently facing a second-degree murder charge for Yatim’s death.

Blasting what it calls “high-handed, shocking, contemptuous conduct of the defendants,” the suit — prepared by prominent Toronto lawyer Julian Falconer — alleges malice, negligence, incompetence and more.

Yatim’s relatives are suing for damages in excess of eight million dollars, and claim they are suffering anxiety, depression, and physical and psychological conditions.

“The force used upon Sammy was not justifiable at law. The force applied was excessive and unreasonable…,” reads the statement of claim.

No statements of defense have been filed. Toronto police spokesperson Mark Pugash said it would be inappropriate to comment on the lawsuit in advance of a defense statement. The allegations have not been proven in court.

Yatim was fatally shot in the early morning of July 27, 2013, while alone aboard a TTC streetcar on Dundas St. W.

Moments earlier, Yatim brandished a small knife, and witnesses said he had exposed himself. The lawsuit states Yatim “was experiencing a period of emotional disturbance at the time he was shot.”

Surveillance and civilian video of the incident captured Const. Forcillo firing nine shots at Yatim, striking him eight times. A second, unnamed officer — dubbed Officer John Doe in the claim — then boarded the streetcar and Tasered Yatim, who lay collapsed at the front doors.

The suit alleges Forcillo shot and killed Yatim “without justification or excuse,” and said the use of the Taser was “cruel, shocking and completely unwarranted” in addition to being contrary to training, policy and procedure.

Forcillo’s lawyer for the lawsuit could not be reached for comment Tuesday.

The suit also lays specific blame on Blair and the Toronto Police Services Board, stating they knew, or ought to have known, that the defendant police officers were “incompetent” and “insufficiently trained.”

Yatim’s death prompted several large public demonstrations and a massive outcry about the Toronto police’s use of force, particularly against the mentally ill and those in emotional distress.

In the wake of the shooting, independent reviews of the Toronto police use-of-force tactics were launched, including by police watchdog, the Ontario Independent Police Review Director.

On Thursday, three days before the anniversary of Yatim’s death, a much-anticipated independent review prompted by Blair and conducted by retired Supreme Court Justice Frank Iacobucci will be released.

Iacobucci was given a mandate to recommend changes to the force’s policies, procedures, training and equipment, and examine both Toronto police policy and practices of other forces.

The criminal trial against Forcillo is expected to go to trial next year. The officer was released on $510,000 bail and in February, after Forcillo was suspended with pay as mandated by provincial legislation, he returned to work, performing restricted administrative duties for Crime Stoppers.

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