Faisal Hussain was identified as the assailant in Sunday's deadly shooting rampage and his family immediately condemned the violence and told the media that he had severe mental health problems. Hussain died of a gunshot wound after exchanging fire with Toronto police. The SIU is looking into whether he was shot by police, or himself. It was reported by media that Hussain was previously investigated by police amid concerns about his mental health. Police were contacted by school officials at Victoria Park Collegiate in 2010 over comments he made about being the Joker from the Batman movie, and about liking death and explosions.

TORONTO – The South Asian gunman who opened fire in the bustling Danforth neighbourhood of Toronto on Sunday night, claiming two lives and leaving a dozen injured, was obviously a very disturbed young man but where did he get the gun and did what he did, law enforcement authorities are asking.

Faisal Hussain was identified as the assailant in Sunday's deadly shooting rampage and his family immediately condemned the violence and told the media that he had severe mental health problems.

Hussain died of a gunshot wound after exchanging fire with Toronto police. The SIU is looking into whether he was shot by police, or himself.

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.

Toronto Police’s Homicide Squad confirmed on Monday that two of the 14 victims and the suspect were dead. The injured were rushed to trauma centres in the Canadian city.

 It was not clear if the gunman had been killed in the shoot-out with the police or committed suicide. Authorities have not disclosed the identities of the fatalities, who are believed to be a woman and a young girl.

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."

People who knew him say he was unflinchingly polite, had a smile that could light up a room, and worked multiple jobs including at a Loblaws grocery store to help take care of his aging parents.

Only the people closest to Hussain knew that he had spent most of his life battling depression, psychosis and other mental health issues – and not even the people who knew about that had any reason to think he was planning a mass shooting. reported CTV News.

Aamir Sukhera ran a public-speaking club, Toastmasters, that Hussain attended. He said Hussain told him he had psychosis and depression and was seeing a psychiatrist.

"I thought [Toastmasters] would be a good idea for him — it 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."

Sukhera said Hussain was polite, humble and reserved and that he wasn't violent, reported CBC News.

Sources told CTV Toronto that Hussain was previously investigated by police amid concerns about his mental health.

CP24 reports that police were contacted by school officials at Victoria Park Collegiate in 2010 over comments he made about being the Joker from the Batman movie, and about liking death and explosions.

Toronto Police Det. Sgt. Terry Brown, who is the lead investigator on the case, said on Monday afternoon that he “can’t speak to what’s in this individual’s mind” and encouraged people to “be cautious” about jumping to conclusions about “who this person is and what they belong to.”

The shooting, which horrified those thronging the busy strip of stores and restaurants on a weekend night, occurred at around 10 pm on Sunday.

While a motive has not been cited by investigators, the national broadcaster CBC quoted a patron of a restaurant in the area, 7Numbers, as saying that the gunman entered the establishment and targeted a woman there.

Carrie Lahey told the channel: “If we didn’t run inside at that time, we probably would have been dead right now.”

The gunman appears on a video posted online, dressed in dark clothes and carrying a bag slung over his shoulder.

Police and emergency crews swarmed into the locality, known as Greektown, and a special investigation unit took charge of the case. Toronto Police chief Mark Saunders told the media that they were examining every “single possible motive for this.”

Swathes of the area remained barricaded on Monday morning as investigators, including forensic experts, combed through the scene of the rampage.

In a press conference around midnight, city Mayor John Tory described the shooting as a “despicable act”. As shooting-related deaths have escalated in Canada’s largest city this year, he said, “Guns are too readily available to too many people.”

Reacting to the “terrible tragedy” on Monday, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tweeted, “The people of Toronto are strong, resilient and brave – and we’ll be there to support you through this difficult time.”

Expressing his shock, Ontario’s newly-elected Premier Doug Ford, took to Twitter: “My heart goes out to the victims and loved ones of the horrific act of gun violence in Toronto. Thank you to all the first responders for acting quickly to help everyone affected.”

DesibuzzCanada with News Files