The investigation is likely to be difficult.
Two adults and four children were found dead in a house in a suburb of the Canadian capital Ottawa, police announced on Thursday.
A suspect has already been arrested, according to the same source.
Details of his identity have not yet been revealed, but the police, cited by Radio Canada, simply specify that it is a man.
Emergency services, called late Wednesday evening, discovered the six bodies in a house in Barrhaven, south of Ottawa, and arrested a suspect on the spot.
“There is currently no threat to public safety,” the statement added.
'One of the most shocking incidents in Ottawa's history'
A “complex and tragic investigation” is opening, police said in a statement.
According to Radio Canada, which reports the comments of the Ottawa police chief, it is still too early to know if there is a link between the victims and the suspect.
“We do not believe this is an incident of domestic violence or intimate partner violence,” he nevertheless clarified.
On the social network X, the city's mayor described this tragedy as "one of the most shocking incidents of violence in the history of our city."
(…) This news is upsetting for all residents of Ottawa,” he added.
I was devastated to learn of the multiple homicide in Barrhaven, one of the most shocking incidents of violence in our city's history.
We are proud to live in a safe community but this news is distressing to all Ottawa residents.
Ginny and I are thoughts of the family members and…
— Mark Sutcliffe (@_MarkSutcliffe) March 7, 2024
Police are due to hold a press conference in the coming hours.