‘Let’s be strong:’ Sammy Yatim’s sister urges mourners at funeral

Friends and family in memoria

There was a momentary break in the solemn mood of the funeral service Thursday for Sammy Yatim when his sister, Sarah, let a glimpse of her brother’s humour show through.

“If Sammy was here right now, he would be like ‘Change this funeral. Put some rap [music on] and change my damn clothes,’ ’” said Sarah. Mr. Yatim lay in an open casket beside her, dressed in a suit. Sarah herself had skipped the formal attire.

Like many of Mr. Yatim’s teenaged friends in the Highland Funeral Home, she wore a t-shirt printed with the words “9 Shots…?” and a photo of her brother with the words: “RIP Sammy Yatim, 1994-2013.”

The boy died early Saturday, shot by a Toronto Police officer while he stood on a Dundas West streetcar armed with a small knife.

Despite the provocative t-shirt, Sarah, 17, asked the assembled to not seek revenge.  (more...)

‘Let’s be strong:’ Sammy Yatim’s sister urges mourners at funeral