Ottawa, Ontario – The Ottawa Police Service is investigating a tragic incident in Barrhaven, a suburb of Ottawa, where a family of newcomers from Sri Lanka was found murdered. On the evening of March 6, authorities were alerted to a distressing scene at a residence on Berrigan Drive, where the bodies of four children and two adults were discovered. Among the victims were Darshani Banbaranayake Hama Walwwe Darshani Dilanthika Ekanyake, her children Inuka, Ashwini, Rinyana, and Kelly, as well as family friend Ge Gamini Amarakoon.
The authorities revealed that the suspect, Febrio De-Zoysa, a 19-year-old student and acquaintance of the family, has been charged with six counts of first-degree murder and one count of attempted murder. De-Zoysa was residing in the home at the time of the horrific incident. The tragic news has left the Ottawa community in shock and disbelief, with Mayor Mark Sutcliffe expressing his condolences and solidarity with the victims’ families and neighbors.
As the investigation unfolds, Chief Eric Stubbs described the act of violence as senseless and emphasized the need to support the affected individuals. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also addressed the tragedy during a news conference, calling for unity and compassion among Canadians during this difficult time. The Ottawa Catholic District School Board has offered additional mental health resources to support those impacted by the tragic events in Barrhaven.
In response to the devastating news, Ontario Premier Doug Ford and various officials have extended their sympathies to the grieving families and community members. Ottawa Public Health has made resources available for those in need of support, encouraging individuals to seek assistance during this challenging period. The police authorities have urged anyone with information related to the incident to come forward and assist in the ongoing investigation.