SIU confirm identity of Brampton Courthouse shooter

Extra security has been added at the Brampton Courthouse as it reopened for the first time since Friday’s shooting sent a Peel police officer to hospital.

Meantime, Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit has now identified the suspect who was gunned down by police. The SIU says Charnjit Singh Bassi, 45, of Brampton was killed by police, after Cst. Mike Klarenbeek, 53, was shot and wounded while on duty at the court’s lawyer entrance. Klarenbeek is out of intensive care, but remains in hospital.

While court is back in session, things aren’t quite back to normal.

While gunfire rang out on the first floor of the Brampton Courthouse, Lariza Shea and her 20-month old daughter Maira were directly above on the second floor overlooking the atrium.

“I heard the three pops. They were slow and the other ones were fast. Just pop, pop, pop lots of them.”

Shea picked up her daughter and ran. Along with her nephew, they hid in a small counsel office and prayed. She said it was horrible coming back today. “I was shaking going through security again. It was really intimidating, but it was amazing that it looks like just another day.”

Defence attorney Franklin Lyons says they’re not quite there yet. In his courtroom, there is a motion to let the officer in charge carry their firearm.

“I didn’t oppose that. I didn’t think it was an intimidate tactic or anything. It was for everybody’s security so that was fine.”

More officers than usual are patrolling outside of the courthouse. Some proceedings have been pushed back, but not everyone feels much of a change. Lawyer Preet Kaler says it’s business as usual. “I don’t see any difference. More police presence though.”

Neighbours told CHCH News Bassi lives in a home on Flower Trail with his mother. He’s separated from his wife who lives just a few houses down the street with their young daughter

“He’s a nice guy a nice personally guy. Loved his kids. Used to come by and say hello.”