OTTAWA, Canada – Tragedy struck a suburban Ottawa home as the city grappled with the aftermath of a horrifying mass killing. The scene outside the residence was marked by blood on the sidewalk where the bodies of a mother, her four young children, and a family friend were discovered by authorities. The devastating incident is being described by Ottawa police as one of the worst mass killings in the city’s history.
A 19-year-old international student, Febrio De-Zoysa, faces six charges of first-degree murder in connection with the attack. Police Chief Eric Stubbs characterized the violence as senseless and directed at innocent individuals. The weapon used in the attack, according to Stubbs, was a knife or other bladed tool.
Among the victims are Darshani Ekanyake, 35, her seven-year-old son Inuka Wickramasinghe, and her three daughters: Ashwini, 4; Rinyana, 2; and Kelly, two-and-a-half months, who was born in Canada. Additionally, another Sri Lankan national, Amarakoonmubiayansela Ge Gemini Amarakoon, 40, also lost their life in the tragic incident.
The lone survivor of the attack, Dhanushka Wickramasinghe, the father, sustained serious but non-life-threatening injuries. The accused made a brief appearance in court and was admonished not to communicate with the hospitalized father or other witnesses.
Members of the community, including Bhante Suneetha, a resident monk at a local Buddhist Monastery, expressed shock and sorrow over the gruesome event. Suneetha shared insights from his visit with the injured father, detailing the extent of his physical injuries sustained during the attack.
Authorities are diligently investigating the incident to uncover the reasons behind the tragic crime. Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe assured residents that Barrhaven and Ottawa remain safe and inclusive communities despite the tragic events that unfolded in the neighborhood. As the investigation unfolds, the community comes together to mourn the loss of innocent lives and seek answers in the wake of the devastating tragedy.