Man charged in his hospital bed with attempted murder in shooting of Toronto lawyer

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Seconds after the shots rang out, Schilling said he saw a man he believed to be an undercover officer sprint toward the scene, draw his weapon and begin firing at the gunman, who was wearing a reflective construction vest and hard hat. 

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Schilling said the man tried to get away in a car, but was boxed in by unmarked SUVs.

“It was just absolutely horrific and as loud as you think it would be,” Schilling said. “It was like watching a TV show.”

Ontario’s police watchdog said plainclothes officers from nearby Halton Region were conducting surveillance in the area when a man opened fire on the lawyer as he was leaving his office around 3:30 p.m.

The Special Investigations Unit, which investigates reports involving police where there has been death, serious injury or allegations of sexual assault, has taken over part of the investigation.

Toronto police continue to investigate the shooting of the lawyer, spokesman Const. Victor Kwong said Wednesday. Neither Toronto nor Halton Regional Police would say why Halton officers were in the area at the time.

Barrs is a respected trial lawyer who has defended clients in several murder and drug cases, according to his website.

The Canadian Press