Ottawa, Canada – A tragic incident in a suburb of Ottawa has left six individuals, including an infant, dead. The Ottawa Police Service responded to a residence on Berrigan Drive after receiving multiple 911 calls on the night of March 6. Upon arrival, a man was found outside the home, seeking help, and was hospitalized in serious but stable condition. Inside the residence, the bodies of his wife, four children, and a family acquaintance were discovered.
The family has been identified as newcomers from Sri Lanka, with the victims ranging from an infant just two months old to a 35-year-old woman. The police have charged a 19-year-old individual with six counts of first degree murder and one count of attempted murder. This individual, a student and acquaintance of the family, was residing in the home at the time of the incident.
Authorities have confirmed that the tragic event involved the use of an edged weapon. The Sri Lankan High Commission is in contact with family members in Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka. The Chief of Police in Ottawa, Eric Stubbs, described the act as “senseless violence” in a press conference following the incident.
Following the tragedy, local leaders such as Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe and Ontario Premier Doug Ford have expressed their condolences and sympathies to the victims and their families. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also addressed the incident during a news conference, emphasizing the need for community support during such a difficult time.
The Ottawa Catholic District School Board is offering assistance to those in need of support, and Ottawa Public Health has provided resources for those seeking help. Anyone with information related to the incident is urged to contact the Ottawa Police Service Homicide Unit or submit anonymous tips through Crime Stoppers. The community in Ottawa is in shock over the heartbreaking loss of innocent lives in this devastating event.