Attempted murder suspect plans to seek bail

CHATHAM A 33-year-old Wallaceburg man, who is facing an attempted murder charge in connection to an 18-year-old woman being shot and injured, plans to seek bail.

Michael Authier appeared briefly in a Chatham courtroom via video on Wednesday. Authier, who appeared to be clean-cut with short, blond hair, listened intently as lawyer Frank Retar discussed his case. Retar asked that the details of the attempted murder charge be read into court to ensure Authier understood what he has been charged with. However, a publication ban is in place prohibiting evidence heard during bail court from being published.

Retar then asked that the matter return to court for March 5, “so I can put together a bail plan.” Authier will return to court in-person on that day for a bail hearing. Until then, he will remain in custody.

According to previously published reports, Authier was arrested after Chatham-Kent police responded to a shooting in Wallaceburg early Tuesday morning at a King Street residence.

The female victim did not suffer life-threatening injuries, police said.

The shooting was described as an “isolated incident,” and police said there was no threat to public safety. The man who owns the house said his son lived there but didn’t want to give his name when interviewed by Postmedia.

He said he had asked the police what happened and the whereabouts and condition of his son, but police had not provided him with details. Neighbours said the home, located at the corner of King and Albert streets has been the site of numerous visits from police. Neighbours also said the house has had multiple car fires in the past few years.

“Police are here on a regular basis,” said neighbour Cal MacIntyre. “If there is something going on they break it up, quiet things down and everybody leaves and life goes on, but they don’t do anything about it.”

Neighbours with whom Postmedia spoke said similar things about the home, which has an upstairs and downstairs apartments.