Ottawa, Ontario – A tragic incident has shaken the city of Ottawa, as Canadian police are investigating a mass killing involving a Sri Lankan family, including four young children. The victims, who were newcomers to Canada, were found dead in their home in the Ottawa suburb of Barrhaven.
The senseless act of violence has left the community in shock, with Ottawa’s police chief describing it as a horrific tragedy that has deeply impacted the nation’s capital city. A 19-year-old Sri Lankan student who lived with the family has been charged with six counts of first-degree murder and one count of attempted murder.
Authorities received emergency calls late Wednesday night and responded swiftly to the scene, where they discovered the victims – a mother, her four children, and an acquaintance. The victims were identified as 35-year-old Darshani Banbaranayake Gama Walwwe Darshani Dilanthika Ekanyake, seven-year-old Inuka Wickramasinghe, four-year-old Ashwini Wickramasinghe, two-year-old Rinyana Wickramasinghe, two-month-old Kelly Wickramasinghe, and 40-year-old Amarakoonmudiayansela Ge Gamini Amarakoon.
The family’s father sustained injuries and was hospitalized in serious but stable condition. Chief Stubbs revealed that the victims were attacked with an edged weapon, emphasizing that the investigation is ongoing. The suspect, Febrio De-Zoysa, was swiftly arrested at the scene without incident.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau expressed shock and horror at the incident, while Ottawa’s mayor described it as one of the most shocking incidents of violence in the city’s history. The community mourns the loss and grapples with the aftermath of this devastating event, as authorities work to uncover the motives behind the tragic killings.