Toronto shooting rampage leaves 2 dead, 12 hurt; gunman dead after firing into restaurants

Terrorism was not being ruled out as a motive after a gunman fired into packed Toronto restaurants and cafes Sunday, killing 2 people and injuring 12 others before dying in a gun battle with police, officials said. Ontario's Special Investigations Unit said in a news release two people were killed by a man who “fired shots at groups of people several times” while walking along Danforth Avenue. Toronto Police Chief Mark Saunders said a young woman was among the dead, and a 9-year-old girl was critically injured in the shooting. The Canadian city's top cop said the shooting was not random, and did not rule out terrorism as a motive. "I'm looking at every single possible motive for this," he told reporters. "When you have this many people struck by gunfire it's a grave concern." Police work the scene of a shooting, Sunday, July 22, 2018, in Toronto. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP) Police work the scene of a shooting in Toronto on Sunday, July 22, 2018. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP) Saunders said it was not clear if the gunman was killed by police or if he killed himself. The SIU said the suspected gunman, a 29-year-old man, was located by police on Bowden Street and "an exchange of gunfire took place." The man fled the area and was located, deceased, on Danforth Avenue, according to the SIU. Authorities received a call shortly after 10 p.m. about the incident in Toronto's Greektown neighborhood, a lively residential area with crowded Greek restaurants and cafes. Toronto Gunman 1 The gunman can be seen firing into a restaurant in Toronto's Greektown neighborhood. (Instagram/Arielanise) Witnesses reported hearing many shots and described the suspect walking past restaurants and cafes and patios on both sides of the street and firing into them. John Tulloch told the Canadian Press he and his brother had just gotten out of their car when he heard about 20 to 30 gunshots. "We just ran. We saw people starting to run, so we just ran," he said. Stilez @stilez Super raw & clear Video of #Toronto #Danforth shooter via @arilanise on Instagram. 9:57 AM - Jul 23, 2018 1,091 1,465 people are talking about this Twitter Ads info and privacy A video from one witness shows a man dressed in black clothes and a black hat walking quickly and firing three shots from the sidewalk into at least one shop or restaurant. The condition of the other victims was not known yet, police spokesman Mark Pugash said. Another witness to the rampage told CP24 he was standing 10 to 15 feet away from the alleged gunman. Police work the scene of a shooting in Toronto on Sunday, July 22, 2018. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP) Police work the scene of a shooting in Toronto on Sunday, July 22, 2018. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP) “He looked around 35, long hair, black hat. He had a dark shirt with long sleeves rolled up and black pants,” the man told the television station. “He was skinny, but he had this horrible look in his face, like he was under the influence or something.” Toronto Councilor Paula Fletcher told CP24 she was told the gunman was emotionally disturbed. n💫 @nsxoxoii My evening was nice until I heard shooting right out of my place on the danforth. So scary!! The gun violence in Toronto is crazy. 9:12 AM - Jul 23, 2018 1,110 1,393 people are talking about this Twitter Ads info and privacy "It's not gang related. It looks like someone who is very disturbed," Fletcher said. Councilor Mary Fragedakis also said she heard the gunman was disturbed. Toronto Mayor John Tory called the incident "a despicable act," according to CTV News. Police work the scene of a shooting in Toronto on Sunday, July 22, 2018. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP) Witnesses said the alleged gunman was someone who appeared to be "very disturbed." (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP) “This is a tragedy and on behalf of all Toronto residents, we are extending our prayers to all the innocent people attacked tonight, their families and their friends," he said. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the rampage a "terrible tragedy."

Super raw & clear Video of #Toronto #Danforth shooter via @arilanise on Instagram. pic.twitter.com/6cbrDFHSOX

— Stilez (@stilez) July 23, 2018

My evening was nice until I heard shooting right out of my place on the danforth. So scary!! The gun violence in Toronto is crazy. pic.twitter.com/eNHLlUlp6r

— n💫 (@nsxoxoii) July 23, 2018

Justin Trudeau ✔ @JustinTrudeau My thoughts are with everyone affected by the terrible tragedy on the Danforth last night in Toronto, and may the injured make a full recovery. The people of Toronto are strong, resilient and brave - and we’ll be there to support you through this difficult time. 5:32 PM - Jul 23, 2018 2,738 837 people are talking about this Twitter Ads info and privacy "My thoughts are with everyone affected by the terrible tragedy on the Danforth last night in Toronto, and may the injured make a full recovery," he posted to Twitter. "The people of Toronto are strong, resilient and brave - and we’ll be there to support you through this difficult time." Over the past weekend, Toronto police deployed dozens of additional officers to deal with a recent spike in gun violence in the city. The city's mayor has previously said the city has a gun problem. The mass shooting comes a few months after the driver of a van plowed into pedestrians on a Toronto sidewalk, killing 10 people and injuring 14. Authorities have not disclosed a motive in that incident. But they have said the suspect, Alek Minassian, posted a message on social media referencing a misogynistic online community before the attack.