Jury sees audio, visual evidence on 1st day of inquest into police shooting of Beau Baker

The coroner's inquest into the death of Beau Baker, 20, who was shot by a Waterloo Regional Police Service (WRPS) officer in 2015, began Monday with council, Julian Roy, presenting visual and audio evidence to the jury to help them in their decision making. 

Roy laid out the scene of the shooting with evidence that included Google maps, photos, and an SIU diagram of the area in and around 77 Brybeck Cres. in Kitchener, Ont., where Baker was killed. 

Beau Baker, 20, was shot and killed by a Waterloo Regional Police Service officer in April 2015 outside Bakers' home on Brybeck Crescent in Kitchener, Ont. Baker had called 911 threatening to kill himself and harm others. Baker's family has said he had "documented mental health issues." Ontario's police watchdog, the Special Investigations Unit, said there were no reasonable grounds to charge the officer in Baker's death

An inquest into Baker's death is mandatory under the Ontario Coroners Act. The inquest into Baker's death began on March 20, 2023 and is being held virtually out of Toronto. The jury in a coroner's inquest makes recommendations to prevent future similar deaths. Read all of CBC's coverage of the coroner's inquest here.

Roy also presented audio evidence — including a 9/11 call with Baker, and an interview with Baker's roommate and neighbour after his death. The audio painted a picture of the events leading up to and including the shooting and the aftermath that followed. 

Baker was fatally shot on April 2, 2015 by a WRPS officer, whose actions were found to be legally justified by the Special Investigation Unit (SIU) six months later. According to that SIU report, Baker had been armed with a knife at the time. That knife was submitted as evidence on Monday. 

"I'm mindful that there is no closure for a loss this great, but I hope that what you learn here will help answer some of the questions that you will have," Roy said, addressing Baker's mother who was in attendance. "And that the lessons that may come from this inquest will give you some solace and some healing in your loss."

No charges or allegations

David Eden, the presiding corner overseeing the hearing, explained that the point of the inquest is to prevent future similar deaths, adding that there are no charges or allegations at play and that nobody is on trial. 

Eden went on to say that by the end of the inquest, the jury must decide on the circumstances of the death, and make recommendations in an effort to avoid similar deaths in the future.

The inquest continues on Tuesday.