A shooting in Toronto's west end Thursday morning has left neighbours sympathizing with the 85-year-old suspect in the case.

The elderly man was charged after a brief standoff with police on Boon Avenue, near St. Clair Avenue and Dufferin  Street, at around 10 a.m.

The Toronto Police Emergency Task Force rushed to the scene after a man in his 50s was shot in the shoulder. Witnesses who called 911 said they saw two men fighting and dodging bullets by hiding behind parked cars.

"These two guys were running behind the cars, shooting at each other and ducking behind the cars," said Harvey Cameron, a schoolbus driver who happened to pass the incident on his way back from work. "I pulled over my schoolbus and called 911. I didn't know it was for real until I saw blood on the guy's shoulder.

"One of the cars had its back window shattered by bullets. A police dog later discovered a silver handgun on the street.

Duty Insp. Richard Heggedus said several shots were fired during the incident.

Witnesses say the shooting victim --who owns three houses on the street -- was visiting his elderly father when he got into a fight with the suspect, who lives a few doors away.

Several neighbours described the younger man as a bully who often got into loud screaming matches.

There were unconfirmed reports that the older gentleman was injured in the dispute before the shooting took place.

Police spokesperson Const. Tony Vella said that authorities are still trying to work out the details of what happened.

Meanwhile the shooting victim was transported to hospital with serious injuries but police say he is expected to survive.

With a report from CTV Toronto's Janice Golding