A Sri Lankan national “believed to be in Canada as a student” has been charged with six counts of first degree murder, including a Sri-Lankan mother and four of her children.
Ottawa Police announced Febrio De-Zoysa, 19, is under arrest and has been charged with committing mass-murders in the nation’s capital.
Police said an “edged-weapon” was found at the scene.
“This was a senseless act of violence perpetrated on purely innocent people,” police Chief Eric Stubbs said.
All 6 allegedly murdered individuals have names that are common in Sri Lanka.
Man charged “an acquaintance” of the family, Chief Stubbs said
“The Ottawa Police Service Homicide Unit has charged a man in relation to the homicides on Berrigan Dr. that left six people deceased and one person injured,” their statement reads.
“Febrio DE-ZOYSA, 19-years-old, has been charged with six counts of first-degree murder and one count of attempted murder. He is a Sri Lankan national who is believed to be in Canada as a student,” it continues.
Police also said De-Zoysa was living with the family.
“Darshani Banbaranayake Gama Walwwe Darshani Dilanthika Ekanyake (f), 35-years-old. Her husband was also injured and is in hospital in stable condition.”
Tragically, all of the couple’s children have been gruesomely murdered.
- Inuka Wickramasinghe (m), 7-years-old
- Ashwini Wickramasinghe (f) 4-years-old
- Rinyana Wickramasinghe (f), 2-years-old
- Kelly Wickramasinghe (f), 2 months old
The report adds that “A sixth man, Amarakoonmubiayansela Ge Gamini Amarakoon, 40, was also found deceased.” Police said this man was also living with the family, but wouldn’t say their relationship beyond “acquaintance.”
Police are still investigating the crime and will have more to say later, and added that there’s no longer a risk to the public.
They also told reporters that they’ve never dealt with the man before, or any of the family members killed.
Asked how long the murdered family has been in Canada, the Chief said they are recent newcomers to Canada, but confirmed the 2-month-old baby was born in Canada.
