A mother, her four young children and a 40-year-old male acquaintance of the family were murdered in Ottawa late Wednesday night, CBS reports. They were found dead in a house in the suburb of Barrhaven.
The children are said to be two months, two years, four years and seven years old.
– It is a senseless act of violence perpetrated on completely innocent people, says Ottawa police chief Eric Stubbs.
Previously unknown to the police
The father in the family was also injured, but is said to be in hospital in a stable condition.
The 19-year-old man is suspected of the six murders and is said to have been in Canada to study. The police were able to arrest him at the crime scene.
The man should not have been known to the police previously – and states that they have never been alerted to the address before.
– This murder will undoubtedly weigh on everyone’s hearts for a very long time, says Eric Stubbs.
Trudeau: “Shock and horror”
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has also expressed his sadness.
– Of course, our first reactions are shock and horror at this terrible violence, he says in a statement.
– We expect the community to reach out to support family and friends, as Canadians always do.
The Ottawa Catholic School Board has sent out a letter to the students’ parents, confirming that two of the victims were students at the school.
“Our deepest sympathies and sincere condolences go out to the victims’ families and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time. We cannot imagine the pain and sorrow they must be experiencing,” the letter read, according to CBS.
The school has added crisis support that will be available to both staff and students.