Photos: Vigil held Saturday to remember victims of mass killing in Barrhaven

Members of the community mourn the slain family

Published Mar 09, 2024 • 1 minute read

OTTAWA: A group gathered together in Palmadeo Park near the home of the biggest mass killing in Ottawa’s recent history, for a vigil in honour of the victims, Saturday March 9, 2024. Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia

A vigil was held Saturday at Palmadeo Park in remembrance of the six people killed late Wednesday night at a home in Barrhaven.

The victims were Darshani Dilanthika Ekanayake, 35, and her four children: Inuka Wickramasinghe, 7; Ashwini Wickramasinghe, 4; Ranyana Wickramasinghe, 3; and two-month-old Kelly Wickramasinghe; as well as their family friend, Gamini Amarakoon, 40, who had been living in the home.

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Ekanyake’s husband and the father of the children, Dhanushka Wickramasinghe, remained in serious but stable condition in hospital as of Thursday afternoon.

Nineteen-year-old international student Febrio De-Zoysa was arrested and charged with six counts of first-degree murder and one count of attempted murder.

PHOTO GALLERY

Chief Eric Stubbs with the Ottawa Police Service held a long stem white rose while paying respects at Saturday’s somber event. Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia Chief Eric Stubbs with the Ottawa Police Service spoke with people paying their respects at Saturday’s somber event. Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia The somber event touched many, as people paid their respects and took part in the vigil as the rain and wind came through the park. Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia Chief Eric Stubbs lays a single long stem white rose at the vigil Saturday. Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia A teacher who taught one of the victims showed emotion as he paid his respects at the vigil Saturday. Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia A woman said a prayer during Saturday’s somber event. Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia Politicians, city staff, teachers, religious leaders, friends and neighbours took the time to pay their respects and share a moment for those lives that were lost. Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia A woman wipes a tear during Saturday’s somber event. Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia Chief Eric Stubbs with the Ottawa Police Service addressed media after the vigil Saturday. Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia A woman said a prayer during Saturday’s somber event. Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia Politicians, city staff, teachers, religious leaders, friends and neighbours took the time to pay their respects and share a moment for those lives that were lost. Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe lays flowers at the vigil Saturday. Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia Councillor Wilson Lo and his wife Amelia Howell lay roses at the vigil Saturday. Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia Politicians, city staff, teachers, religious leaders, friends and neighbours took the time to pay their respects and share a moment for those lives that were lost. Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia Politicians, city staff, teachers, religious leaders, friends and neighbours took the time to pay their respects and share a moment for those lives that were lost. Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia

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