Community vigil mourns death of Ottawa femicide victim

Community members braved therain on Tuesday night to share their grief over the killingof Brkti Berhe, a36-year-old mother who was stabbed to death in front of two of her young children.

At least 200 people attended the gathering at Paul Landry Park, the same park where Berhe was killed last week.Attendees included people who knew Berhe, as well as Mayor Mark Sutcliffe andRiver Ward Coun. RileyBrockington, who represents the area.

As a few onlookers cried, attendees placed flowers and candles near a rock that has been turned into a makeshift memorial for Berhe.

Brockington said organizing the vigil was important because the community needed an opportunity to grieve and to supportBerhe's family.

"We wanted to show the family that we care about them, that we support them, that we will be there with them," he said.

WATCH | Scenes from the vigil:

Vigil remembers femicide victim Brkti Berhe

10 days ago

Duration 1:55

At least 200 people attended the gathering Tuesday at Ottawa's Paul Landry Park, the same park where Brkti Berhe was killed last week.

Attendee Maakele Weldeyesussaid he knew Berhe astheir kids attend the same school.

"That is unforgettable for me,"Weldeyesussaid of Berhe's death."I was at work and my son told me when I come back right away. So I don't know,I'm not feeling good about that."

Rosa Dau, a resident of the area, said she used to talk to Berhe whenever she saw her pass by with her children. Dau said her son witnessed the attackat the park last week.

"It was very scary to see ayoung woman like that just got killed in front of [her] own kids," she said.

Brockington said while he was heartened so many people came to the vigil, he's still disturbed by Berhe'sdeath.

"There's people who are very, very saddened by what's happened and we're here to stand with them and support them," he said.

'Their lives are never going to be the same'

Mayor Mark Sutcliffetold CBC News thathe hadmet some of Berhe's family and offeredcondolences on behalf of the city.

"Whenever an event like this happens in the community,it's devastating when you think of a family that's been ripped apart by this and their lives are never going to be the same," he said.

Ottawa police have charged a36-year-old Montreal man, Fsha Tekhle, with first-degree murder overBerhe's death.Berhe knew Tekhle because her aunt had recentlyleft a relationship withhim, a family friend previously told CBC.

Ottawa police have labelled the killing a femicide,onlythe second time they've used that designation of a homicide related tothe victim's gender.

Sutcliffe said the police'suse of the femicideis "an important step" in the city's efforts to addressgender-based violence.

"There's no limitto what we must do to make sure that women are safe and that there are no more children in our community who have their mothers taken away from them," he said.