Coroner’s inquest begins in case of Jamal Francique, shot by police in Mississauga

A coroner’s inquest into the death of a man shot in the head by police in Mississauga, Ont., is now underway.

The inquest into the death of Jamal Francique was initially set to start Thursday but was delayed by a day.

Francique, a 28-year-old Black man, was shot during an attempted arrest outside his home on Jan. 7, 2020, and died in hospital days later.

Ontario’s police watchdog later cleared the Peel regional police officers of wrongdoing, saying the officer who opened fire reported fearing for his life when Francique drove toward him.

The Special Investigations Unit said there were aspects of the officer’s behaviour that gave rise to questions, however, including the decision to place himself near a fleeing vehicle.

The inquest will look at Peel regional police procedures and training, including on use of force when a vehicle is involved, oversight of preplanned arrests, medical care for suspects who are incapacitated and anti-Black racism, among other topics.

Its scope does not include the investigations carried out by various watchdog agencies.

Jurors in coroner’s inquests do not assign legal responsibility but may make recommendations meant to prevent similar deaths in the future.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 13, 2026.

The Canadian Press