A 30-year-old man has been charged with eight counts of second-degree murder after a car plowed into a crowd during a Filipino community festival in Vancouver, Canada, leaving 11 people dead and dozens injured.
The attack occurred Saturday evening during the annual Lapu Lapu Day block party, an event celebrating Filipino culture, at East 43rd Avenue and Fraser Street. Victims ranged in age from five to 65. Police identified the suspect as Kai-Ji Adam Lo, a Vancouver resident with a known history of mental health issues and previous interactions with police. Authorities ruled out terrorism as a motive.
Police said additional murder charges are likely as efforts to identify all victims continue. Acting Police Chief Steve Rai described it as the “darkest day” in Vancouver’s history, warning that the death toll could rise in the coming days. Lo was detained by bystanders before being arrested.
The festival, which drew tens of thousands, had no elevated threat level according to police. However, the attack has sparked calls for enhanced security measures at public events.
Eyewitnesses recounted the horrifying scene of the vehicle ramming through the crowded street. “There’s a car that went through the whole street, hitting everyone,” said local resident Abigail Andiso. “There were about 20 people down. Everyone was screaming and panicking.”
Mourners have gathered at the site, laying flowers and paying tribute. Community leaders, including RJ Aquino of Filipino BC, expressed deep sorrow, saying, “Our community is grieving, and the impact of this tragedy will be felt for years.”
Prime Minister Mark Carney canceled campaign events to visit the scene, lighting a candle and meeting victims’ families. Opposition leaders, including Pierre Poilievre and Jagmeet Singh, also expressed solidarity with the Filipino-Canadian community.
The Lapu Lapu festival, named after a Filipino national hero, is a cornerstone celebration for Vancouver’s vibrant Filipino population of over 140,000. In the wake of the tragedy, city officials vowed a full review of security protocols to prevent future attacks.
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