Suspect in Toronto Lawyer Shooting Has a Lengthy Criminal History

Grayson Delong, the Etobicoke man accused of shooting a Toronto criminal defense attorney on Tuesday afternoon before being shot himself by an undercover police officer, has a lengthy criminal history and is known to police across the GTA.

The 55-year-old was remanded into custody in hospital on Thursday afternoon and could not appear in court. He's facing 15 charges related to the shooting of attorney Randall Barrs, including attempted murder, disguise with intent, and possession of an authorized firearm. The Crown said he may face an additional charge for violating bail conditions for a break and enter charge in Peel region. Peel Police told VICE News Delong was involved in a break and enter incident in January of this year. A DNA sample from the scene identified Delong, and he was arrested and charged in April, a police spokesman said. Court records show Delong was already under a weapons prohibition order when he allegedly opened fire on Barrs. It's unclear if Delong is a client of Barrs. A man who answered the phone at the Barrs home on Wednesday afternoon said the lawyer was "fine." "He's resting, it's not life-threatening," said the man, telling VICE News that Barrs would not be speaking to media for now. Court records show a Grayson Delong tried unsuccessfully to appeal a decision in a case that involved him choking a dog. Earlier, a trial judge rejected Delong's claim that he was defending himself from what he believed was unnecessary force. According to the Globe and Mail, Delong was described in a 2008 case in front of the Ontario Court of Appeal as having an "extensive criminal record, which spans more than two decades and contains over 60 convictions," including one for escaping lawful custody and numerous convictions for property offences. Ontario's Special Investigations Unit, which probes incidents involving police that result in injury or death, is continuing to look at how Delong came to be shot by police. A witness told VICE News that moments after Delong allegedly fired numerous shots at Barrs as he was entering his office, near Bloor and Avenue Road, an undercover police officer appeared on scene and shot at him. The SIU said Halton Regional Police officers were conducting surveillance in the area, but would not elaborate further. According to the Toronto Sun, Delong was charged in 1993 after he mooned police and committed an indecent act. That same year, he was charged again after a struggle with two police officers over one of their guns. Follow Tamara Khandaker on Twitter.