In a shocking act of violence, six people, including four children, were killed in a mass shooting inside a townhouse in Ottawa's Barrhaven neighborhood late Wednesday night. Police made the grim discovery after responding to a flurry of 911 calls that started coming in at about 10:50 p.m., directing first responders to Berrigan Drive near Palmadeo Drive, a residential area close to two schools.
Ottawa police chief Eric Stubbs described the scene as "horrific" and called the incident a "mass shooting." Inside the home, emergency responders found six people dead and one injured person, who was taken to the hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries. A male suspect, whose identity has not been released, was arrested at the scene, approximately 15 kilometers south of Ottawa's downtown core.
"Obviously, it's a horrific scene," Stubbs said. "I'm sure the impact on the community is great." He added that the police do not believe the incident to be a case of intimate partner violence and that there is no ongoing risk to public safety.
The identities of the deceased have not yet been confirmed, and police are continuing their investigation into the relationship, if any, between the victims and the suspect. Property records show that the townhouse has been owned by two people since 2013.
The shocking incident has left the community reeling, with residents expressing their disbelief and grief. "I'm obviously in shock ... it's tough," said Barrhaven resident David Brose, his voice breaking. "I'm just in awe. I can't believe it."
Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe took to social media to express his condolences, calling the shooting "one of the most shocking incidents of violence in our city's history." In a later interview on CBC News Network, he said, "In particular, I know people are just devastated to hear that children are involved. I think that's what's most heartbreaking to me and to my family and to all Ottawa residents, is to hear of violence on this scale and to know that children were victims ... it's just really incomprehensible and unimaginable and absolutely devastating."
Nepean MPP Lisa MacLeod, whose riding includes the affected area of Barrhaven, said the community woke up to shock and grief. "There are no words for the heartbreak me and my neighbours feel for the surviving family, friends [and] playmates of the deceased," she said.
Coun. Wilson Lo, who represents the area, also expressed his condolences on social media, stating that he was "saddened to learn of the tragic loss of six Barrhaven neighbours" and that his thoughts are with their loved ones and people close by.
As the investigation continues, the community is grappling with the devastating impact of this horrific act of violence. The tragedy has left many questions unanswered, and residents are struggling to come to terms with the loss of six lives, including those of four innocent children.
