The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), Toronto branch, is calling for an inquest to be held into the shooting of Andrew Loku. In a letter to the Ontario Coroner’s office, CMHA Toronto president and board chair Catherine Anastakis and executive director Steve Lurie wrote that “the public interest and justice for Andrew Loku, his family and the community will be served by holding an inquest into his death.”
CMHA Ontario expressed its support for CMHA Toronto’s request in a follow up letter, urging the Office of the Chief Coroner to initiate this inquest immediately.
Loku, 45, was shot dead by a Toronto police officer last July in the hallway of his home. He was living in a building leased by CMHA to house people with mental health issues.
Questions about a video which partially captured the shooting are among the reasons that CMHA Toronto is calling for an inquest.
“There’s conflicting evidence,” Lurie told CBC’s Metro Morning. “It’s important that there be an inquest that we can get to the bottom of what actually happened and how these tragedies can be prevented in the future.”
Alongside the CMHA and Black Lives Matter, the Toronto Star has revealed that former Toronto Police Services Board chair Alok Mukherjee is also calling for a coroner’s inquest into Loku’s death.
For more information on this issue, visit the CMHA Toronto website.