Brampton courthouse shooting

(Updated)

Very tense moments inside a Brampton courthouse late Friday morning when a man with a gun opened fire wounding an officer before the gunman himself was shot and killed by police. Now the province’s Special Investigations Unit has taken over.

This is still a very active crime scene. The parking lot around the courthouse remains taped off and the SIU is set up near the entrance.

Michael Klarenbeek, the officer who was shot, is in stable condition. We spoke with his brother tonight as he was dropping his parents off at home. He says the family really appreciates the support from Peel police. They’re asking for privacy while Klarenbeek recovers. It’s been a traumatic day for them.

A witness inside the courthouse managed to capture some video just after shots were fired. If you listen carefully, you can hear an emergency responder talking about klarenbeek’s injuries: “Officer shot in the abdomen.” was the cell phone call that went out.

Around 11am Peel regional police officer Michael Klarenbeek was shot on the job and rushed to Sunnybrook Hospital.

Staff Sgt. Dan Richardson, Peel police officer-in-charge for corporate communications:”When the chief sent out her message to the organization that he was in stable condition we all breathed a collective sigh of relief.”

The 29-year Peel police veteran underwent surgery and is recovering.

The Brampton man suspected of shooting him is dead.

“All I seen was the cop on the ground and the guy just laying there.”

Witnesses say the suspect tried to bypass security and was intercepted by officers.

“The cop asked him to come here and he just pulled out a gun and started shooting.”

Shots were fired and he died on scene. The courthouse was sent into lock down. Even a group of visiting high school students was held until the building was cleared by police.

S/Sgt. Richardson: “They had to secure the court house to make sure there was nothing else that anyone had to fear or worry about.”

“I’m shaking, I’m still shaky.”

Witnesses described a disturbing scene when they were finally allowed to leave.

“I saw his legs and they were just putting the white sheet over him.”

Police have raised a tarp in front of the evidence and the Special Investigations Unit has taken over the case.

As for 53-year old Klarenbeek, police say his prognosis is good.

The majority of police activity right now is taking place behind a blue tarp where we believe the evidence is. The SIU has been very tight lipped about what’s gone on today but at this point it doesn’t look like they’ll be leaving the scene any time soon.

Additional video: News Now coverage of Peel Regional Police news conference:

Additional video: Bob Cowan interviews journalist Stewart Bell, who was among those locked down: