Police say that a 17-year-old who was arrested after three people were found dead at a Brockville, Ont. residence on Thursday, was in a relationship with one of the victims.
During a press conference on Friday afternoon, Brockville police said the victims were a 49-year-old mother, and her two daughters, aged 15 and 17, but did not identify them.
“The accused was in a relationship with one of the daughters, indicating that this is a case of intimate partner violence,” Insp. Darryl Boyd said.
According to police, officers responded to a 911 call reporting the deaths at a home on Cartier Court at approximately 11:30 a.m.
Officers considered the deaths suspicious based on evidence at the scene.
Police say they received additional information that led them to a separate address on the outskirts of the city.
“A 17-year-old, Brockville youth believed to be connected to this incident was located at that address and taken into custody for three counts of first-degree murder and assaulting a police officer,” police said in a statement on Thursday.
Police have not yet determined a motive, but Boyd says the deaths could be considered femicides.
“This is an incident involving the murder of three women by a male, so by definition, we could categorize it as that,” Boyd said.
Boyd said police believe a knife was used, but the investigation is ongoing.
“We have not had anything of this scale in my career that I have seen and nothing that I can recall previous to that,” Boyd said. “The last murder investigation that we had was several years ago.”
The youth attended a bail hearing on Friday and is being held in custody. Their identity is protected under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
“This investigation is sensitive and complex. We recognize the profound impact this incident has on the families, loved ones, and the community,” police wrote.
“We respectfully ask for the public’s patience as investigators continue their work, and we encourage empathy for those most directly impacted.”
‘Unspeakable tragedy’
Brockville Mayor Matt Wren said that the community is facing “an unspeakable tragedy” in a statement issued Friday.
“Brockville is, at its core, a strong and caring community. We have always pulled together in times of hardship, and we must do so again as we navigate this immense grief. In the days ahead, let us support one another in every way we can,” Wren wrote.
Wren added that as a symbol of sympathy and solidarity, flags have been lowered to half-mast at city facilities.
“As we grieve this profound loss, we are also reminded that many women face violence in their lives. If anyone in our community needs support, I encourage them to reach out to resources such as Interval House. We are painfully confronted with a need to recognize and respond to the realities many women face,” said Wren.
“This is a community tragedy that is impacting the students and staff at several of our schools in Brockville,” Kellie Weir, superintendent of the Upper Canada District School Board, said in a statement to CTV News.
“Our focus is on supporting our staff and students, and we have additional resources in place at our schools today to do this. Support will continue as long as needed.”
Neighbours say they’re shocked by the news.
“We’re all close here. Like, we’re our own little community. So, we’re close-knit,” said Charles Halladay, a neighbour who spoke to CTV News Ottawa. “It’s still unbelievable. I’m trying to get ahold of it. Just puts a bad feeling in your stomach.”
Halladay said he’d stop and talk with the family on occasion.
“I knew them as neighbours. I’d walk my dog and come across them and I’d take 10 minutes and talk to them. That’s how I am,” he said.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Brockville Police Service at 613-342-0127. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
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Resources
The City of Brockville says Residents who may be impacted and are seeking support are encouraged to reach out to local services:
- Leeds & Grenville Interval House – 24 hours crisis line – 1-800-267-4409
- Victim Services of Leeds & Grenville – 1-800-939-7682
- Lanark, Leeds and Grenville Addictions and Mental Health – (613) 342-2262
- Distress Centre of Lanark, Leeds & Grenville – 1-800-465-4442
- Children’s Mental Health of Leeds & Grenville – 1-800-809-2494
- National Gender-Based Violence Helpline – 1-800-363-9010
