Toronto police have identified a man fatally shot in the head outside an east-end townhouse complex on Wednesday night as 21-year-old Justin Brunet.

While investigators didn't have an exact motive for the attack, they said the victim had survived being shot in the head in the past.

The man, who is also known as J.B., died at the scene. A second victim, a 25-year-old man, was sent to hospital with a non life-threatening wound.

One of the victims staggered into an apartment where a mother and her children were staying.

One woman who tried to help the first victim said the gunfire came out of nowhere.

"I didn't hear anything, no argument, nothing," she told CTV Toronto. "All of a sudden I heard pop, pop, pop."

A man who lives across the street from the shooting said it's a miracle no one else was hurt.

"I came out onto the balcony to get some fresh air and then bullets started going off," he said. "Next thing you know one sounded like it hit a couple of feet away. As soon as I dropped to the ground I went back inside and called the police, and on my way outside to see what was going on, I found the bullet right outside the balcony door."

Witnesses say several gunmen opened fire but police say they need more information before they can identify any suspects. They are probing whether the shooting was a result of gang rivalry.

Brunet is Toronto's 29th homicide victim of the year.

He was on his way to getting his life back on track, his friends told CTV Toronto on Thursday.

"He was no gangster," one man said. "He was just a family man. He did what it took to make ends meet in this city but he was not a thug. He did not own a gun. He did not sell guns. He was not a bad kid."

Another friend said Brunet worked hard to support his kids.

"He was just pulling his life together so I don't see how or why (this happened)," he said.

Police say both victims are known to police.

Homicide detectives are asking anyone with information to call them at 416-808-7418 or 416-808-7378. Anonymous tips can also be left on the Crime Stoppers hotline at 416-222-TIPS (8477).

With reports from CTV Toronto's Jim Junkin and Roger Petersen