Febrio De-Zoysa, a 19-year-old student, has been accused of the murders of six individuals, four of whom were children, in a harrowing event Ottawa Police Chief Eric Stubbs has labeled as the “deadliest mass killing in Ottawa in at least three decades.” It was reported that De-Zoysa, who was temporarily residing in the family’s basement, had no previous run-ins with the law.
The crime took place in a townhouse in an Ottawa suburb, which became a scene of immense grief when police arrived in response to 911 calls just before midnight on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, and discovered the bodies of six people.
The victims included a Sri Lankan family, who had just arrived in Canada the previous year. Among them was 35-year-old mother Darshani Dilanthika Ekanayake and her four children, all under seven years of age, including an infant not yet three months old. Amarakoonmubiayansela Ge Gamini Amarakoon, a 40-year-old man also living with the family, was also killed. The father, Dhanushka Wickramasinghe, 34, was critically injured when he fought with De-Zoysa after arriving home and finding his family dead. He is currently hospitalized.
De-Zoysa, also of Sri Lankan descent and a student in Canada, was apprehended at the crime scene. He faces six counts of first-degree murder and one count of attempted murder. The motive behind De-Zoysa’s actions remains unclear. Initial reports incorrectly described the event as a mass shooting, but it was later corrected that a “knife-like” weapon had been used.
Bhante Suneetha, a monk from a nearby Buddhist monastery, revealed that the father reported no disputes between De Zoysa and the family. However, De Zoysa was dealing with academic struggles and had shown signs of suicidal tendencies.
Ottawa Police Chief Eric Stubbs recognized the impact this event will have on the city and particularly the Barrhaven neighborhood, stating, “This is a tragic case…” Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe mirrored this sentiment, describing it as “one of the most shocking incidents of violence in our city’s history.”
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau expressed his shock and horror at the brutal event, emphasizing the community’s anticipated support for the victims’ families and friends. Trudeau also underscored the crucial role of the police in investigating the case and keeping the public informed.
Doug Ford, Ontario’s Premier, expressed his deep distress at the news of the mass fatalities in Ottawa, extending his condolences to the families and friends of the victims and the wider Ottawa community grappling with the horrific event.
The incident struck a chord throughout Canada, a nation that sees few mass casualty incidents compared to its southern neighbor, the United States. In Ottawa, a city with a population of one million, there were only 14 homicides in 2023, a slight decrease from 15 the previous year.
De-Zoysa made a brief appearance in an Ottawa court via Zoom late Thursday afternoon. He confirmed his name and birthdate to the justice of the peace and was ordered to remain in custody until next week. His court-appointed attorney requested the case be delayed to allow De-Zoysa time to secure his legal representation.
As investigations progress, the focus remains on supporting those impacted by this tragedy. Police Chief Stubbs emphasized the importance of reaching out for help and the need for collective healing in the aftermath of such a devastating event.