The family of a 58-year-old black man shot and killed by Montreal police last June is suing the city of Montreal alleging police used abusive and unnecessary force.
Pierre Coriolan was in mental distress and holding a screwdriver in each hand when police arrived at his apartment in the Gay Village responding to a noise complaint.
Coriolan's family has released a video showing the last moments of Coriolan's life.
The cellphone video taken by Coriolan's neighbour shows police officers confronting Coriolan who is then tasered and shot. Coriolan was lying on the ground when police hit him with batons. The violent confrontation lasted a minute and ten seconds.
"We saw the video. We cannot believe that police officers treat people this way," said Coriolan's daughter, Joanne Coriolan in a letter read aloud at a press conference.
Community activist and ex-RCMP officer Will Prosper said the video shocked him. At one point, Coriolan was on his knees when police fired on him again, "either with weapons using rubber bullets or their service revolvers" according to the lawsuit filed in court.
"What is the threat right now?" asked Prosper.
"What is the threat of that black man (on his knees)?"
Prosper called on Montreal mayor Valérie Plante to intervene and act quickly to prevent these kinds of situations.
The family is suing for over $163,000 in moral and punitive damages.
They've also launched a GoFundMe campaign to help pay legal fees.
Montreal police will not comment because the case is still being investigated by the provincial police watchdog.
The family and their supporters said it was important to release the video to prompt debate about this issue.
"This type of situation must be avoided at all costs so that it does not happen over and over and over again," said Joanne Coriolan in her letter.
"We hope with this debate, a possible judgement will lead to much needed changes and help police intervene particularly with vulnerable populations. We must stop killing people."
Death of Pierre Coriolan: Community activist and ex-RCMP officer Will Prosper says it's not normal to lose your life in such a situation. #CJAD pic.twitter.com/Hk8YoaZkpy
— Shuyee Lee (@sleeCJAD) February 7, 2018