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Family Says Toronto Shooting Suspect Suffered From Mental Illness

by VOA News

   The family of the man accused of killing two people and wounding 13
   others in a shooting spree on a busy street in Toronto, Canada, says he
   suffered from mental illness.

   Authorities have identified the suspect as Faisal Hussain, 29, of
   Toronto, who also died in the attack. It is not clear if the suspect
   killed himself or was shot by police.

   They say he killed a 10-year-old girl and an 18-year-old woman Sunday
   night in the city's Greektown neighborhood.

   Hussain's family issued a statement Monday saying they are "devastated
   by the incomprehensible news" that he was responsible for the shootings
   and that he had dealt with psychosis and depression.

   "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 family said.

   Police are still working to determine a possible motive for the attack
   and say they have not ruled out any possibilities.

   Cellphone video of the attack shows a man wearing all black firing
   shots from the sidewalk into at least one restaurant in the lively
   residential area with Greek restaurants and cafes. Witnesses reported
   hearing at least 20 shots.

   Toronto Mayor John Tory said the shooting was "evidence of a gun
   problem" in Toronto.

   "There are far too many people carrying around guns in our city, and
   our region who should not have them," he said.

   Toronto Councilor Paula Fletcher said the attack was "not
   gang-related." She described the gunman as shooting "indiscriminately"
   into restaurants and into a park.

   In recent days, police have deployed additional officers in Toronto in
   response to an increase in gun violence.

   Sunday's shooting comes three months after the driver of a van plowed
   into pedestrians on a Toronto sidewalk in the city's north end, killing
   10 people and shaking residents' confidence in the city's safety.

   "It's almost inconceivable that these things can happen," Tory said.
   "We were so used to living in a city where these things didn't happen,
   and as we saw them going on in the world around us, (we) thought they
   couldn't happen here."

   Flags at Toronto City Hall were lowered to half-staff on Monday.

   Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tweeted on Monday: "The people
   of Toronto are strong, resilient and brave -- and we'll be there to
   support you through this difficult time."