Ontario police has identified the man responsible for a shooting rampage in Toronto’s Greektown as Faisal Hussain. The Special Investigations Unit says Hussain is a 29-year-old from Toronto, the National Post reported.
The provincial police watchdog released Hussain’s identity in a statement after speaking with a member of his family.
“Due to the exceptional circumstances of this tragic incident and the public interest in knowing the man’s identity, the SIU is identifying the man as Faisal Hussain of Toronto,” the statement read.
The gunman, who is now dead, is seen opening fire on Danforth Avenue
The Hussain family released a statement expressing their condolences to the families “who are now suffering on account of our son’s horrific actions.”
“We are utterly devastated by the incomprehensible news that our son was responsible for the senseless violence and loss of life that took place on the Danforth,” they said
They added that Hussain had “severe mental health challenges” and was struggling with psychosis and depression his entire life.
“Medications and therapy were unable to treat him. While we did our best to seek help for him throughout his life of struggle and pain, we could never imagine that this would be his devastating and destructive end,” they said.
.@torontopolice SIU identifies suspected shooter in Danforth incident as Faisal Hussain & his family releases a statement about their deceased son, who they say had a history of mental illness #pnpcbc pic.twitter.com/I6GaSHUeGS
Earlier, the Toronto police also said that it was seeking a motive behind the shooter's actions after two young women, ages 10 and 18, were killed and 13 other people were wounded by a gunman on a busy, restaurant-filled street. The suspect was later found dead, authorities said.
“We do not know why this happened,” Toronto Police Chief Mark Saunders told reporters on Monday, adding that he would not speculate about the gunman’s motive. “It’s way too early to rule out anything.”
Hussain, who armed with a handgun, opened fire at 10 p.m. on Sunday on a stretch of Danforth Avenue filled with restaurants and family-friendly attractions in the city’s Greektown neighborhood, the Special Investigations Unit said. The gunman walked down the busy avenue firing.
Witness footage of the shooter walking to a store front and opening fire. 9 ppl are injured, unclear how many dead. Police say shooter is dead. #danforthshooting pic.twitter.com/dbo280RmFE
The gunman exchanged fire with police, fled and was later found dead, according to the Special Investigations Unit, which investigates deaths and injuries involving police. Hussain had a gunshot wound but authorities would not elaborate on the circumstances...