By EMS1 Staff
HAMILTON, Ontario — Two paramedics who are facing criminal charges in the death of a shot teen have been terminated, according to officials.
The Toronto Star reported that Hamilton Paramedic Service paramedics Steven Snively and Christopher Marchant were fired after being charged with failure to provide necessities of life in the fatal shooting of Yosif Al-Hasnawi, according to Ontario Public Service Employees Union Local 256 President Mario Posteraro.
“This harsh and unjust action will be grieved by the union in an effort right this wrong,” Posteraro said.
Witnesses claimed the two paramedics did not believe Al-Hasnawi had been shot, but Posteraro said they thought a pellet gun was involved in the incident.
The two veteran paramedics have never had any previous issues and have had great performance reviews in the past, Posteraro said.
An internal investigation was conducted by Hamilton Paramedic Service, which the union said led to the termination.
“The union believes that the employer’s investigative process, including multiple interviews with the two paramedics, was focused on finding fault, not on finding facts,” Posteraro said. “This latest action sends a disappointing and unfortunate message to the city of Hamilton’s paramedics and all paramedics provincially, that bad patient outcomes may not only result in criminal charges, but now, termination of employment as well.”
Snively and Marchant will appear in court on Sept. 11.