The man accused of mass murder in Toronto yesterday has made his first court appearance.

Alex Minassian, a 25-year-old student from Richmond Hill, is charged with 10 counts of first-degree murder and 13 counts of attempted murder.

The Seneca College student was arrested by a cool-headed Toronto police officer after climbing out of a rented van.

The vehicle was used in a murderous rampage along Yonge Street to mow down pedestrians on the sidewalk.

In a tense standoff, Minassian pointed what appeared to be a handgun at a police officer.

At one point, Minassian urged the officer to shoot him in the head.

But the cop stood his ground before eventually proceeding forward, pulling out a baton, and ordering Minassian to the ground.

There, the suspect was cuffed and taken away.