Family of Toronto shooter says he suffered from severe mental illness
TORONTO — A 29-year-old man who went on a deadly shooting spree in the heart of Toronto’s vibrant Greektown, killing an aspiring nurse and a 10-year-old girl, had a life-long struggle with severe mental illness, his family said Monday.
Faisal Hussain’s parents said they were devastated by their son’s “senseless violence” and the loss of life that resulted from it. Hussain was found dead, with a gunshot wound, after exchanging fire with officers during the incident on Danforth Avenue on Sunday night.
“Our son had severe mental health challenges, struggling with psychosis and depression his entire life,” the family said in a statement issued moments after their son was identified as the shooter by Ontario’s police watchdog.
“The interventions of professionals were unsuccessful. Medications and therapy were unable to treat him,” they 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.”