Faisal Hussain ID'd as gunman in deadly Danforth shooting spree

FaisalHussain, the man identified as the assailant in Sunday's deadly shooting rampage on Toronto's DanforthAvenue, had severe mental health problems, according to his family.

Ontario's police watchdog, the Special Investigations Unit (SIU),releasedHussain'sidentity on Monday evening, hours after investigators say the 29-year-old Toronto resident opened fire on a number of Danforth Avenue restaurants in an attack that has left the city in shock.

Witnesses captured several chilling images and videos of the attack, which took place around 10 p.m. ET on Sunday and left a 10-year-old girl and 18-year-old Reese Fallon dead. More shooting victims remain in hospital, with some having undergone multiple life-saving surgeries, according to doctors.

Hussaindied of a gunshot wound after exchanging fire with Toronto police. The SIUis looking into whether hewas shot by police, or himself.

Family condemns'horrific actions'

Hussain's family emailed a statement to CBC Toronto saying they are devastated by what happened and that their son was struggling with "severe mental health challenges," including psychosis and depression.

"We are at a terrible loss for words but we must speak out to express our deepest condolences to the families who are now suffering on account of our son's horrific actions," the family's statement said.

"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."

Earlier Monday, police searchedHussain'sresidencein the city'sThorncliffePark neighbourhood, but have yet to release a potential motive for the shooting.

On Tuesday, the federal public safety minister's officesaid local police will continue to lead the investigation into Hussain's background.

"There is no national security nexus at this time," communications officer Hilary Peircesaidin an email to CBC.

Several friends and neighbours who spoke with CBCNews described Hussainasquiet and shy, and somewere aware of his mental health problems.

Aamir Sukheraran a public-speakingclub, Toastmasters, thatHussain attended. HesaidHussaintold him hehadpsychosis and depression and was seeing apsychiatrist.

Watch several shots fired into Greektown restaurant

6 years ago

Duration 0:25

Warning: This video contains some graphic content. Witness captured man, believed to be the shooter, fire several gunshots into a Greektown eatery.

"I thought [Toastmasters] would be a good idea for himit might help him open up and speak," he said. "And through the process, I discovered he had some sort of mental illness and that he was seeking help for it."

SukherasaidHussainwas polite, humble and reserved and that he wasn't violent.

During the attack, the gunman, dressed all in black with a black baseball cap covering part of his face,calmly walkeddown the Danforth Avenue sidewalk before turning and firing a black handgun into a restaurant.

Another image, captured by a store owner's surveillance system, appears to show him walking with the gun hanging by his side.

Other witnesses said hezig-zagged across the popular street the heart of Toronto's Greektown just to pick off targets.

Hussaindiedshortly after exchanging gunfire with Toronto police officers on BowdenStreet, notfar from the strip ofrestaurants where the attacks took place.

At an afternoon news conference, Toronto Police Chief Mark Saunders said the motive for the attack is still unclear, and he urged the public to provide any information they can about the incident.

Saunders said no officers were injured during the firefight.

The SIUinvestigates all cases of death or serious injury involving police.

The SIU says a post-mortem will be conducted on Hussain on Tuesday.

Here is the entire statement fromHussain'sfamily:

"We are at a terrible loss for words but we must speak out to express our deepest 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.

"Our son had severe mental health challenges, struggling with psychosis and depression his entire life. The interventions of professionals were unsuccessful. 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.

"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."