Ottawa, Canada – A tragic incident has left the residents of Ottawa in shock and grief after a mass stabbing in a suburb claimed the lives of six individuals, including an infant. The victims, identified as a family of newcomers from Sri Lanka, were discovered by Ottawa Police at a residence on Berrigan Drive on the night of March 6. The harrowing discovery was made after multiple 911 calls reported the incident.
Upon responding to the scene, authorities found a man outside the house seeking help, who was subsequently hospitalized in serious but stable condition. Inside the residence, the bodies of his wife, four children, and an acquaintance were found. The victims were identified as Darshani Banbaranayake Hama Walwwe Darshani Dilanthika Ekanyake, Inuka Wickramasinghe, Ashwini Wickramasinghe, Rinyana Wickramasinghe, Kelly Wickramasinghe, and Amarakoonmubiayansela Ge Gamini Amarakoon.
The tragic event led to the arrest of a 19-year-old suspect, Febrio De-Zoysa, who has been charged with six counts of first-degree murder and one count of attempted murder. Authorities revealed that the suspect was a student and acquaintance of the family, residing in the home at the time of the incident. The use of an edged weapon in the mass killing further highlighted the senseless violence perpetrated on innocent victims.
City officials and leaders expressed condolences and reassured the community of the safety measures in place despite the tragic incident. Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe described the news as devastating, emphasizing the rarity of such events in a safe city. Premier Doug Ford and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also extended their sympathies to the victims and their families, calling for support and unity in the face of the tragedy.
In the wake of the heartbreaking incident, the Ottawa Catholic District School Board offered support to those in need, urging individuals to reach out for assistance. Various organizations, including Ottawa Public Health, provided resources for those seeking help and urged anyone with information related to the tragedy to come forward. The community’s response and solidarity in the face of this profound tragedy underscored the resilience and compassion of the Ottawa community.