Two years ago today, Yosif Al-Hasnawi intervened when two men were harassing an older man on the streets of Hamilton. A confrontation occurred. Within minutes, Yosif had been shot. Left on the sidewalk by paramedics who didn't take his injuries seriously. He died an hour later.
Last week, Yosif's killer was set free. He was a meth dealer, had used meth & alcohol that night, and was illegally carrying an unlicenced, loaded, restricted weapon. He flashed his gun at Yosif, and his friend sucker punched Yosif in the head 2 or 3 times. They ran away laughing
When Yosif chased them after being punched, Dale King turned around and shot him dead. A jury found him not guilty. He said it was self defence. Yosif is dead. His killer walks free. Not guilty of murder. No gun charges. No assault charges. No drug charges.
There are many ways we failed Yosif. Too many illegal guns on the street. A street culture of violence. His killers who themselves were failed by foster care. Paramedics who, perhaps influenced by racism and/or class, ignored Yosif when he desperately said "I can't breathe".
We owed him so much more. He was in his first year of university, pursuing medicine. He was his mother's first born, the oldest of 5 siblings. We must remember him. And we must honour him by addressing the many failures that led to his death.
@threadreaderapp unroll
