Mother, four children among six found dead in Barrhaven

Ottawa police have identified six people, including an infant, killed in a suburb of Ottawa, as a family of newcomers from Sri Lanka.

Ottawa police have identified six people, including an infant, killed in a suburb of Ottawa, as a family of newcomers from Sri Lanka.

The Ottawa Police Service (OPS) responded to a home in the 300 block of Berrigan Drive at 10:52 p.m. Wednesday, March 6 after receiving a number of 911 calls.

Investigators say a man was found outside the house, yelling for help, and was taken to hospital where he is now in serious, but stable condition.

Police say the bodies of his wife, four children, and an acquaintance were then found inside the home.

The victims have been identified as:

Darshani Banbaranayake Hama Walwwe Darshani Dilanthika Ekanyake, 35
Inuka Wickramasinghe, 7
Ashwini Wickramasinghe, 4
Rinyana Wickramasinghe, 2
Kelly Wickramasinghe, 2 months old
Amarakoonmubiayansela Ge Gamini Amarakoon, 40

Ottawa police say Febrio De-Zoysa, 19, has been charged with six counts of first degree murder and one count of attempted murder. Investigators say he is a student, was an acquaintance of the family and was living in the home at the time.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford is also expressing condolences saying his “thoughts are with the family and friends of the six victims and the entire Ottawa community”.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also commented on the tragedy, during a news conference Thursday.

“Obviously our first reactions are all ones of shock and horror at this terrible violence. We are expecting that the community reaches out to support family and friends as Canadians always do, and we expect the police of jurisdiction to be doing the work and keeping us all informed of this terrible tragedy.”