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BREAKING NEWS:

Holly Dos Santos v. York Region Police Services Board, York Region Police, Officer John Doe 1-X, and York Regional Chief of Police

  • FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    October 11, 2024

    TORONTO, ONTARIO—On the two-year anniversary of the wrongful killing of her son, a grieving mother has filed a $57 million lawsuit against the York Regional Police (YRP), its Board, its Chief of Police, and an unnamed Constable for the excessive and unjustified use of lethal force that resulted in his death.

     

    The claim seeks justice for Quacey, a 25-year-old black man who was fatally shot by YRP officers on October 10, 2022, with two volleys of five bullets discharged from a semi-automatic rifle.

     

    Despite posing no immediate threat to the public or police, Quacey was pursued by the YRP, in direct violation of directions from supervisors not to engage, shot twice while fleeing, and then three more times as he lay incapacitated.

     

    The lawsuit argues that the use of lethal force was excessive, negligent, and racially discriminatory.

     

    “This is about the systemic issue of police violence against black men,” said Ms. Dos Santos.

     

    “My son did nothing to warrant such violence, and I refuse to let his death be in vain. I want accountability for Quacey and for all the other black men and their families whose lives have been shattered by excessive police force.”

     

    The claim alleges wrongful death, assault, battery, negligence, and racial discrimination, with $25 million, at a minimum, sought in punitive damages to address the reckless conduct of the officer and the systemic failure that led to Quacey’s death.

     

    “This case highlights the urgent need to confront police violence and racial injustice,” said Dr. Michael F. Motala, Counsel for the Plaintiff.

     

    “The unnecessary use of force in this case is shocking, and we are committed to ensuring that the York Regional Police are held accountable for their actions.”

     

    The lawsuit also challenges the findings of the Special Investigations Unit (SIU), which wrongfully cleared the Constable involved in July 2023.

     

    The Plaintiff argues that the officer’s actions were unreasonable and that systemic racism played a role in the excessive use of force.

     

    As Ms. Dos Santos and her family continue to mourn and grieve the loss of Quacey on the two-year anniversary of his unlawful killing, they will no longer stay silent.

     

    Ms. Dos Santos’ legal team remains steadfast in pursuing justice for Quacey and ensuring that no other family endures such a tragedy.

     

    For further information, please contact:


    EVERLEX Legal Professional Corporation
    229 Yonge Street

    Suite 400

    Toronto, Ontario

    Canada M5B 1N9
    Tel: (437) 488-8431
    Email: admin@everlex.ca

RECENT WINS

• WIN: June 10, '24: Motala Obtain Pre-Trial Injunction in Multi-Million Dollar Aviation Matter

• WIN: July 17, '24: Motala Obtains Ex Parte Order from Superior Court in a Case of Evasion of Service

• WIN: July 25, '24: Motala Obtains Certificate of Stay at Divisional Court - Superior Court of Justice in Contentious Eviction Proceeding

• WIN: June 10, '24: Motala Obtain Pre-Trial Injunction in Multi-Million Dollar Aviation Matter • WIN: July 17, '24: Motala Obtains Ex Parte Order from Superior Court in a Case of Evasion of Service • WIN: July 25, '24: Motala Obtains Certificate of Stay at Divisional Court - Superior Court of Justice in Contentious Eviction Proceeding

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Dean for the Day

Osgoode Hall Law School

2016

Our firm’s principal elected Dean for the Day at Osgoode Hall Law School in Toronto, Canada, discussing his vision for the future of legal education and the practice of law.

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Leveraging over a decade of combined experience in the private sector, government, academia, and private legal practice, Michael F. Motala* provides exceptional legal services at a fraction of the cost of Big Law. Our firm is a general law practice. We also offer notarial services.

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