Family questions police use of force in arrest of Toronto man with mental illness

The family of Alban Francis, a Toronto man with mental illness, is questioning police actions after he was left unconscious and on life support following his arrest on December 28. Francis was involved in a violent encounter with officers after a report of an attack with a staple gun. The province's Special Investigations Unit is now investigating the incident. Family members believe police did not handle the situation appropriately, given Francis's known mental health issues. They express concern over the lack of de-escalation tactics used by officers during the arrest. Francis has since been upgraded to stable condition, but his family worries about his long-term recovery and ability to live independently. They hope to raise awareness to prevent similar incidents involving individuals with mental illness in the future.