OTTAWA – NEWS – Ottawa Police Chief Eric Stubbs provided crucial information regarding the horrific act of violence in Barrhaven, resulting in the loss of six lives, including four innocent young children, and leaving one man severely injured.
This tragedy, unfolding in a family home, has plunged Ottawa and Ontario into mourning and sparked an extensive and complex investigation into the events leading up to this heartbreaking incident.
Community in Mourning: A Family’s Tragic End
The victims, a family of newcomers from Sri Lanka, were discovered late last night following urgent 911 calls from concerned citizens. The family matriarch, 35-year-old Darshani Banbaranayake Gama Walwwe Darshani Dilanthika Ekanyake, her children Inuka (7), Ashwini (4), Rinyana (2), and Kelly (2 months), alongside 40-year-old acquaintance Ge Gamini Amarakoon, were found deceased.
The father and husband of the victims were found injured at the scene and is currently in serious but stable condition in the hospital.
Immediate Response and Ongoing Investigation
The Ottawa Police Service was quick to respond, arresting a 19-year-old male suspect, a Sri Lankan national believed to be in Canada as a student, charging him with six counts of first-degree murder and one count of attempted murder.
Chief Stubbs clarified that an edged weapon, not a firearm, was used in this mass killing, emphasizing the needless violence inflicted upon the victims.
Support and Solidarity in the Aftermath
Chief Stubbs extended his deepest condolences to the family’s loved ones and announced various support mechanisms mobilized for those affected by this tragedy, including outreach to community leaders, the local school board, and the High Commission.
He urged anyone needing emotional support to contact the Distress Centre, available around the clock.
A vigil has been set up at Palmadeo Park to honor the victims, with the community urged to respect the ongoing investigation area. Acknowledging the impact of such incidents on emergency responders, Chief Stubbs also highlighted the provision of support and critical incident debriefs to all members involved in the response.
This event, marked by senseless violence against innocent lives, has left an indelible mark on the Ottawa community, uniting its members in grief and solidarity as they navigate the aftermath of this profound loss.
