Father Threatens Ex-Wife Before Tragic Incident

WARNING: This story contains details of intimate partner violence.

Police have identified a man who allegedly killed his seven- and 12-year-old sons at their home in south Ottawa and then set fire to his dental practice in a nearby village before taking his own life in a vehicle fire on Monday, as new details about threats made against his ex-wife come to light.

The previously reported that Mohammed Al-Lami, 40, was on active probation for threatening bodily harm to his ex-wife, the boys’ mother, in 2024 according to records from Ottawa court.

CBC has now accessed recordings from the Ontario Court of Justice regarding his brief trial in February and the verdict and sentencing handed down in April, during which excerpts from the threatening email were read by the judge.

Ottawa police announced late Thursday afternoon that they are supporting the boys’ mother “as she grieves this unimaginable loss,” and out of respect for her wishes and her family’s privacy, they will not release the names of her children.

The force “recognizes the community’s desire for answers” but stated that forensic examinations and other investigative actions are ongoing, promising more information once they are completed.

“Incidents like this affect us all, and we acknowledge the shock and heartbreak many are experiencing as we work to understand what happened. Please check in on one another. If you or someone you know is struggling, consider reaching out to family, friends, a trusted community member, local support organizations, or professional services in your area. You do not have to navigate this alone,” read their statement.

‘I will make you a worldwide story’

Justice Norman D. Boxall informed the court on April 10 that Al-Lami married his ex-wife in 2012 and together they had two children. They separated in 2017 and finalized their divorce in 2022.

His ex was “astonished to receive” an email from Al-Lami on Jan. 21, 2024, which contained “an explicit threat,” Boxall noted. It took her several days to process it; she testified that while she might not have gone to police herself about it, her partner-who was also threatened-encouraged her to do so.

“I will kill everyone around you and your pimp.. in a very wild, savage way,” Al-Lami wrote in the email that Boxall read aloud during court proceedings. Later he added that “I won’t kill you. I will leave you alone, disabled in a wheelchair that you can’t move even to visit your loved ones’ graves.”

“I’ll make you an example of the unfair justice system. I will make you a worldwide story,” continued part of his email. “.. When you do something wrong to me, you pay for it.”

More updates will follow.

If you or someone you know is struggling, here’s where to look for help:

If you’re worried someone may be at risk of suicide, it’s important to talk with them about it says the Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention. Here are some warning signs:

Suicidal thoughts. Substance use. Purposelessness. Anxiety. Feeling trapped. Hopelessness and helplessness. Withdrawal. Anger. Recklessness. Mood changes.

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