‘ Personal issue’ set off spree, police say

TORONTO — An unspecified personal issue apparently sparked the bloody weekend gun rampage that left one man dead and two people badly wounded, including a teen who was shot in the head during a family outing at one of Canada’s top tourist spots.

A man under house arrest for a previous charge turned himself in to police Monday and was charged with one count of first- degree murder and six of attempted murder related to the Eaton Centre shooting.

The dead man, along with an associate who remained in critical condition with gunshot wounds, belonged to the same gang as the accused, police said.

“Regardless, I do not believe this to be a gang- motivated shooting,” said Det. Sgt. Brian Borg, the lead investigator. “I believe there’s personal aspects involved.”

Wearing a blue hoodie under a grey jacket, Christopher Husbands, 23, appeared briefly in court. Husbands, who was remanded in custody until a video appearance Aug. 15, should not have been out of his home at the time of the shooting that sent panicked shoppers scrambling for the exits.

The father of the accused said Husbands, who has a five- yearold daughter, was born in Guyana and immigrated to Toronto in 2000.

Burchell Husbands was quoted by the Toronto Star that gangs had destroyed his son’s life.

Two months ago, Christopher Husbands survived what his father believed was a gang attack by six people when he was stabbed more than 20 times, the Star reported.

Police said they were not looking for any other suspects.

Ahmed Hassan, 24, died of gunshot wounds at the scene. A 23- year- old man who was with Hassan in the food court remained in critical condition.

The Hospital for Sick Children said Connor Stevenson, 13, of Port Hope, Ont., was in fair condition after “complicated neurosurgery” and was expected to make a full recovery.

Six people were hurt and a pregnant woman needed treatment after she was trampled.