Prominent Brampton lawyer shot, office torched in 12-hour span
The victim was rushed to hospital on Tuesday but his injuries were not considered life-threatening
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A prominent Brampton criminal defence lawyer was shot this week and his office was torched a day later.
Peel Regional Police say officers responded to a shooting call at the Sodhi Law Office on George St. N. just north of Queen St. W. – east of Main St. S. – around 5:45 p.m. on Tuesday and found a man suffering from a gunshot wound.
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The victim, believed to be criminal defence lawyer Manbir Singh Sodhi, was rushed to hospital but his injuries were not considered life-threatening, according to a statement posted by police on X.
Sodhi is the founder of the firm, which specializes in criminal, family and real estate law.
Several neighbours from the 302-unit condominium located where the law firm is situated on the ground floor – as well as several other media organizations like CityTV and CTV Toronto – confirmed the law firm’s founder was the victim.
Less than 12 hours later, on Wednesday morning at 5 a.m., police and firefighters responded to the area for a suspicious fire.
“The arson occurred in the area of Queen St. W. and George St. N. in the City of Brampton,” police said in an email Friday.
“The cause is currently under investigation,” cops added. “We will potentially be releasing more information about the case at a later date.”
One neighbour who lives in the condo above the law offices and asked to only be referred to as David, said he knew the lawyer who was shot near the front of his office, but he was unsure whether the incident unfolded inside the front foyer or just outside.
On Friday, cleaning crews were inside the offices mopping up the mess from the fire.
A large blood smear could still be seen on the tiled floor just inside the threshold of the front door, which was propped open, with three police identification stickers near and around it.
Two windows along the front of the offices, which may have been smashed, were boarded up with plywood. A large blue blower or fan was seen inside the front office foyer removing and circulating the bad air from the offices.
David said he received a call from a fellow tenant saying they couldn’t get in the building following the shooting, so he went to investigate.
“This is the first incident since the building has been opened,” said David, explaining the building has been fully opened since 2011.
“The law office have been there since the beginning,” he added.
David went on to say that security video captured a suspect leaving the law office after the shooting and “zig-zagging around” out on the street – possibly looking for a getaway vehicle – and described the person as tall, thin and possibly wearing a disguise.
A call to the Sodhi Law Office main switchboard just before 4 p.m. Friday was answered by woman who said, “Sorry, we aren’t speaking to anyone,” before hanging up abruptly.
The investigation into the shooting and arson is ongoing.
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