A 10-year-old girl and an 18-year-old woman have died after a gunman opened fire on a busy avenue in Toronto.
ADVERTISEMENTToronto police on Monday sought a motive after two young women, ages 10 and 18, were killed by a gunman on a bustling restaurant-filled street.
What happened:
The first reports of gunfire emerged around 10pm local time, with witnesses saying they heard more than twenty shots. The gunman pulled out a handgun and fired into a restaurant before walked down the busy avenue continuing to shoot.
Police and emergency services rushed to the scene and the gunman exchanged fire with police, he then fled and was later found dead.
The victims:
Toronto police chief Mark Saunders confirmed two young women aged 10 and 18, had been killed and 13 other people were wounded. The older victim was identified by a local politician as Reese Fallon, a recent high-school graduate.
The gunman:
The gunman, a 29-year-old Toronto man, exchanged fire with police, fled and was later found dead, according to the Special Investigations Unit, which investigates deaths and injuries involving police.
He was later identified as Faisal Hussain. His family told the media that he had struggled with mental illness.
The location:
The incident took place in the city's Greektown quarter.
"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."
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Twitter on Monday, "The people of Toronto are strong, resilient and brave - and we'll be there to support you through this difficult time."
Toronto Mayor John Tory told reporters the city has a gun problem, with weapons too readily available to too many people. "Why does anyone in this city need to have a gun at all?" he asked in an address to city councillors on Monday morning.