Ottawa police reported that four children and two adults were killed and a seventh was injured after what the police chief described as an attack by a lone individual in a suburb of Ottawa on Wednesday night.

Police chief Eric Stabb told CBC News in an interview that it was a "mass shooting," but the Ottawa police spokeswoman did not confirm the presence of a weapon.

Police were called to a detached house in Barrhaven before 11 p.m. Wednesday and discovered the bodies in what Stabb described as a "horrific scene."

Stabb added, "One person was arrested shortly thereafter, confirming there is no ongoing threat to public safety"..

The police explained that they are still trying to determine the relationship between the suspect and the victims, but it does not appear to be the result of domestic violence, and a seventh person was taken to the hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries. None of the victims have been identified.

Barrhaven is a rapidly growing suburb located about 20 kilometers south of downtown.

On Thursday morning, five police cars were parked on the street and in the lanes near the house, which is a middle unit of a row of brick houses.

Many people dressed in white were entering and leaving the house throughout the early morning, while parents and children were walking and riding bikes on their way to a nearby elementary school.

Ahmed Saeed was accompanying his son to school one building away from the house on Thursday. He lives nearby and walks with his son past the house every morning.

Saeed said, "This is unbelievable for the entire neighborhood."

The police said that investigation teams are still on site and asked anyone with information to contact the homicide unit.

Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe described the news as distressing for all city residents.

Sutcliffe said in a post on X: "I was shocked when I learned of the multiple killings in Barrhaven, which is one of the most shocking violent incidents in the history of our city."

The police said that a media update will be provided later today.