19-year-old in Canada charged with murder of six people, including four children

A 19-year-old Sri Lankan national was arrested in Ottawa, Canada, and charged with the alleged murder of six people, including four children, Ottawa police said at a news conference on Thursday.

Frank Desouza, who is believed to be studying in Canada, has been charged with six counts of premeditated murder and one count of attempted murder, Ottawa police said.

Ottawa police were called to the scene around 11 p.m. local time on Wednesday. Police received two 911 calls reporting a suspicious incident. When police arrived at the scene, officers quickly identified the suspect and arrested him “without incident,” Ottawa Police Deputy Chief Trish Ferguson said during a news conference on Thursday.

After arresting Desouza, police entered the house where they discovered the six dead bodies, the youngest of whom was less than three months old.

“The family was new to Canada and originally from Sri Lanka,” Ferguson said.

The victims are Darshani Banbaranayake Gama Walwwe Darshani Dilanthika Ekanyake, 35, Amarakoonmubiayansela Ge Gamini Amarakoon, 40, Inuka Wickramasinghe, 7, Ashwini Wickramasinghe, 4, Rinyana Wickramasinghe, 2, and Kelly Wickramasinghe, 2 months old, Ottawa police said in a news release.

The motive for the crime is not yet known and is the focus of police investigations, police said.

“There are many questions about why this tragedy occurred. This is the focus of our homicide unit, which is diligently investigating this tragic crime,” Ferguson said.

“Our investigators and forensic teams are working very hard to establish all the facts and ensure justice is done. But that also means we must maintain the integrity of the investigation in court,” she added.