Suspect in Toronto shooting 'had mental problems'

TORONTO - Investigators are digging into the life of a man trying to explain what prompted him to fire a handgun into restaurants and cafes in a lively Toronto neighborhood, killing a 10-year-old girl and an 18-year-old woman and wounding 13 others.

Authorities have identified the suspect as Faisal Hussain, 29, of Toronto, who died in an exchange of gunfire with police.

The mass shooting in Toronto's Greektown district on Sunday night came just three months after a van struck and killed 10 people in an apparent attack directed at women.

A statement from the family of Hussain said their son had severe mental health challenges and struggled with psychosis and depression. They said medications did not help and the interventions of professionals were unsuccessful. "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," the Hussain family said.

"Our hearts are in pieces for the victims and for our city as we all come to grips with this terrible tragedy. We will mourn those who were lost for the rest of our lives."

Police Chief Mark Saunders earlier said he would not speculate on a motive but did not rule out terrorism.

On Monday, officers executed a search warrant at an apartment in a densely populated neighborhood in east Toronto, where the suspect lived.

The slain 18-year-old was identified as Reese Fallon, a recent high school graduate who volunteered for Canada's Liberal party and was due to attend McMaster University in the fall. Her family said in a statement they were devastated.

Flags at Toronto City Hall as well as at Fallon's former high school, Malvern CI, were lowered to half-staff.

The 13 wounded ranged in age from 10 to 59, and suffered injuries ranging from serious to minor, Saunders said. Officials did not identify the 10-year-old who was killed or name any of the wounded, who included six women and girls and seven men.

Doctor Najma Ahmed of St Michael's Hospital said five patients were admitted in serious or critical condition, with three of them undergoing immediate lifesaving surgery.

Ap - Reuters

(China Daily 07/25/2018 page12)