Toronto shooting suspect identified as Faisal Hussain

The Ontario Special Investigations Unit (SIU) said it was releasing his name due "to the exceptional circumstances of this tragic incident", BBC reported on Tuesday.

A 10-year-old girl and an 18-year-old woman died after a gunman opened fire on a busy avenue in Canada's largest city. Thirteen others were also injured in the rampage.

The SIU, which looks into incidents involving police which result in death, said a post-mortem examination on the suspected shooter is scheduled for Tuesday.

According to the SIU, the gunman was tracked by officers to Bowden Street during the shooting, which happened on Sunday evening.

"An exchange of gunfire" then took place, before the man fled once more. He was found dead about 100 metres away on Danforth Avenue.

In a statement released to various media outlets, Hussain's family expressed their "deepest condolences" to the victims and their families for what they called "our son's horrific actions".

They said their son suffered from serious mental health challenges and had struggled with untreatable psychosis and depression most of his life.

"Our hearts are in pieces for the victims and for our city as we all come to grips with this terrible tragedy," they said.