Mass shootings happen on such a rare occasion in Canada that it shocks the entire continent when one actually occurs. On Wednesday, six people, including four children, were killed in Canada's capital Ottawa, police reported.
The suspect was quickly arrested by law enforcement. Police later stated that they do not believe the killings were linked to domestic or intimate partner violence.
According to Reuters, a victim was found alive in the house and was rushed to the hospital with serious injuries that authorities do not believe are life-threatening.
"The scene is obviously a horrific one," police chief Eric Stubbs told the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, without providing details on how the victims died.
It was deemed "one of the most shocking incidents of violence in our city's history," said Ottawa mayor Mark Sutcliffe in a social media post.
"We are proud to live in a safe community but this news is distressing to all Ottawa residents," he tweeted. "Thank you to our emergency responders who are investigating and supporting those who are affected by this terrible event."
Ottawa's murder rate is so low for a city of over a million people that it would be laughable by comparison to any U.S. city.
The city only saw 14 murders last year, and 15 the year before. The victims were found in a suburb of Barrhaven inside a home. They were not identified.
Police arrived following an emergency call shortly after 11 pm, they said in a statement.
How Rare Is It?
In December 2022 a man shot five people in a Toronto suburb before being shot to death by police.
Another man stabbed and killed 11 people in Saskatchewan. He reportedly died of a drug overdose shortly after being arrested by police. A man was arrested at the scene, according to law enforcement.
Additionally, the last instance of a mass shotting in Canada took place, according to CNN, in Winnipeg. It was an early Sunday morning on November 26th when three peopel were shot dead, with two more being injured.
"Obviously, it's a horrific scene," Ottawa police chief Stubbs said. "I'm sure the impact on the community is great."
Neither the victims' names nor that of the suspect have been released to the public.
