WATCH: A makeshift memorial was created by mourners in front of the one of the houses in the mass murder in Edmonton and area. People left flowers, candles and toys.
EDMONTON – Reaction is pouring in after what Edmonton’s police chief is calling “a tragic day for Edmonton” – the largest mass murder in the city’s history.
On Tuesday, police confirmed eight people – including two young children – were killed at two Edmonton homes, and a ninth person – a man – was found dead by suicide at a restaurant in Fort Saskatchewan.
EPS Chief Rod Knecht called the murders “tragic incidents of domestic violence.”
READ MORE: 9 people dead at 3 linked crime scenes in Edmonton, Fort Saskatchewan
Edmonton mayor Don Iveson sent a message sharing his appreciation for the work done by the EPS and the RCMP.
The police force thanked Iveson for his support.
The EPS also sent out its thoughts to everyone affected by the tragedy.
WATCH: Three crime scenes, including a home in southwest Edmonton, one in the north end, and a restaurant in downtown Fort Saskatchewan are all linked to mass murder and suicide that left nine dead. Kendra Slugoski reports.
“It is a tragedy for everybody,” said Fort Saskatchewan mayor Gale Katchur. “We just heard Chief Knecht say it was the result of domestic violence and I think that should be our focus as we move forward into the future.
“There are ways to deal with domestic violence and we really have to do what we can,” she added.
St. Albert’s mayor, Nolan Crouse, said his thoughts were with his colleagues in Edmonton and Fort Saskatchewan.
Of the eight people killed, seven of them were found in a north-side home in the Lakeview neighbourhood, where Farley Youras lives. He called the area “a young neighbourhood with lots of kids.”
Youras said he’s not sure what happened, but that it’s “unnerving to have it happen in your home.”
Police said they went back to the north Edmonton home to check on a suicidal man when they found the bodies. A man matching his description was later found dead at the VN Express restaurant in downtown Fort Saskatchewan.
READ MORE: Police investigation shuts down downtown Fort Saskatchewan
Sherry Langston works across the street from the restaurant, and told Global News police barricaded the street before using a vehicle to bust through the front wall and windows of the restaurant.
“We heard them yelling at somebody inside saying ‘why don’t you put your hands up and come out and talk to us?'”
Langston said the crime scene investigators showed up shortly afterwards.
Later Tuesday, Alberta premier Jim Prentice sent out a statement calling the events tragic.
Leader of the Wildrose opposition party also expressed her condolences.
Saskatchewan’s premier Brad Wall offered his thoughts and prayers.
The Edmonton Oilers said they would observe a moment of silence before Tuesday’s game.
The murders are being discussed across the country, with the terms Knecht, #YEG, homicides and tragic trending Canada-wide.
Late Tuesday evening, Edmontonians began laying flowers and candles outside the Lakeview home where the seven bodies were discovered.
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