OTTAWA, CANADA — In a tragic incident that has shaken the city, a mother, her four children, and a family friend were found deceased in a Barrhaven suburb of Ottawa. The aftermath of a brutal attack left the area marked by bloodstains, as authorities struggled to come to terms with the gravity of the situation.
Nineteen-year-old Febrio De-Zoysa, an international student, is currently facing six charges of first-degree murder. The Ottawa Police Department, led by Chief Eric Stubbs, has labeled this incident as potentially the worst mass killing in the city’s history. Chief Stubbs, deeply affected, described the event as a “senseless act of violence against innocent victims.” It has been revealed that the attack involved a knife or similar weapon.
Additionally, De-Zoysa is charged with attempted murder relating to the family’s father, who miraculously survived the ordeal. He is currently receiving medical treatment for serious but non-life-threatening injuries.
In a court appearance, De-Zoysa was ordered by Justice of the Peace Andrew Seymour not to contact the hospitalized father or the four witnesses who have given statements to the police. The case has been adjourned until March 13 to allow De-Zoysa time to secure legal representation.
The victims have been identified as 35-year-old Darshani Ekanyake, her children—seven-year-old Inuka Wickramasinghe, four-year-old Ashwini, two-year-old Rinyana, and two-and-a-half-month-old Kelly, born in Canada. The family, originally from Sri Lanka, were confirmed as nationals by the Sri Lanka high commission. Another victim, 40-year-old Amarakoonmubiayansela Ge Gemini Amarakoon, a family friend and recent immigrant to Canada, also lost his life in the attack.
The sole survivor, Dhanushka Wickramasinghe, father of the children, experienced an assault upon returning from work. Bhante Suneetha, a monk from the Hilda Jayewardenaramaya Buddhist Monastery, recounted the father’s injuries and shock during a hospital visit.
The incident began unfolding late Wednesday evening when emergency calls reported a man in distress outside his home. Police identified this man as Dhanushka Wickramasinghe. Neighbors, including Shanti Ramesh, witnessed parts of the horrifying scene.
The killings occurred in a townhouse in Barrhaven, a suburb approximately 20 kilometers south of downtown Ottawa. The area, busy with police activity and onlookers, is near two elementary schools. The crime scene, marked by blood, drew the community’s attention and grief, with residents leaving flowers on the victims’ lawn.
Chief Stubbs praised the swift actions of the first responders in arresting the suspect and discovering the victims. However, details of the investigation are limited to protect its integrity.
De-Zoysa, the sole suspect, had no prior police interactions. Algonquin College confirmed his status as a former student. Claude Brulé, the college’s president, expressed the institution’s sorrow over the tragic news.
Inuka Wickramasinghe and Ashwini were students at Monsignor Paul Baxter School, where the principal promised counseling and support to the community.
The neighborhood woke to a distressing scene, with forensic investigators and police managing the situation. Neighbors, like Ahmed Saed and Katie McNelly, expressed their shock and disbelief at the tragedy.
As the investigation continues, the community mourns in a nearby park, with candles, flowers, and teddy bears symbolizing their grief and solidarity. Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe joined Chief Stubbs in addressing the media, affirming the safety and welcoming nature of Barrhaven and Ottawa, despite the incomprehensible nature of the tragedy.