An empty grey stroller, surrounded by police tape in a suburban park, marked the place Thursday where an Ottawa mother was stabbed to death in a scene of stark horror. The woman, subsequently identified by police as 36-year-old Brkti Berhe of Ottawa, had been with her two children Thursday morning in Paul Landry Park on Uplands Drive when a man leapt from a car, ran at the woman and began to attack her. One witness account, shared with the Ottawa Citizen, said the man repeatedly stabbed the woman before slashing at her neck. He then ran back to his car and drove away. Another man reportedly ran after the car to photograph its licence plate. Another person protected the victim’s children while a woman tended to the dying mother, telling her: “Your children are OK, your children are safe.” Berhe died at the scene. The witness said she had been unloading groceries into her highrise on Uplands Drive and was disposing of some boxes when she saw a man attacking what she thought was a dog on the ground. She ran towards the scene and realized it was a man stabbing a woman. The man, whom she described as tall and thin, ran from the park as the witness neared the scene. She found the victim badly mutilated, with her clothing torn. She tried to comfort the woman, who died within minutes. Ottawa police later arrested a suspect on Highway 417, near Casselman, about 50 kilometres east of the city. He was not identified, but police described him as a 36-year-old male. Unspecified criminal charges were pending, police added, with more details to be made available after charges were laid at court. Paul Landry Park features a large children’s play structure, benches and picnic tables. It is surrounded by townhouses and high-rise apartment buildings that play host to a large community of immigrants. It was believed the woman lived in one of the highrises on Uplands Drive. Neighbours expressed shock and horrification at the sudden eruption of violence in their quiet, suburban neighbourhood. “This is normally a very peaceful neighbourhood,” Celsa Barnhardt said. “I could never imagine this kind of violence taking place here.” The investigation into Thursday’s homicide was continuing and police were asking anyone with information to contact the homicide unit at 613-236-1222 extension 5493. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers toll-free at 1-800-222-8477(TIPS). With files from Tony Caldwell