A 30-year-old man has been charged with multiple counts of murder after a devastating car-ramming incident at a Filipino heritage festival in Vancouver left 11 people dead and dozens injured.
According to police, Kai-Ji Adam Lo, a Vancouver resident, was charged with eight counts of second-degree murder, with more charges expected soon, as per news agency AFP.
The attack occurred during the Lapu Lapu Day celebrations on Saturday evening, a vibrant street festival honouring a Filipino national hero. Witnesses described horrific scenes as a black Audi SUV drove through the crowded streets, striking people between the ages of five and 65.
Vancouver Police chief Steve Rai said it was “the darkest day in Vancouver’s history,” according to AP.
Police confirmed that terrorism had been ruled out, citing Lo’s significant history of mental health issues and previous interactions with law enforcement. Rai said that Lo had a “significant history” of contact with mental health services and police.
The suspect was detained at the scene by bystanders before officers took him into custody. Video footage circulating on social media, shows a man in a black hoodie surrounded by furious festivalgoers, saying “I’m sorry” with his hand to his head.
Witnesses recounted scenes of terror. Kris Pangilinan, who operated a pop-up booth, was quoted by AP saying the SUV first moved slowly before “slamming on the gas,” sending bodies flying “higher than the food trucks themselves.” Another festival-goer, Carayn Nulada, described shielding her grandchildren from the vehicle, while her daughter narrowly escaped with minor injuries.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, cancelling his final campaign events ahead of Monday’s election, expressed deep sorrow. “Last night families lost a sister, a brother, a mother, a father, a son, or a daughter,” he said tearfully. “Those families are living every family’s nightmare”, Carney added.
Meanwhile, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr also expressed his condolences, saying he was “completely shattered” by the tragedy. The Philippine Consulate General in Vancouver assured families that it was working closely with Canadian authorities.
British Columbia premier David Eby vowed that the tragedy would not overshadow the spirit of the festival, noting the immense contributions of the Filipino community to Canadian society.
Hundreds gathered for a candlelight vigil on Sunday evening, mourning the victims. Vancouver Mayor Kenneth Sim said, “I know many of us are fearful and feel uneasy,” but stressed that Vancouver “is still a safe city.”
The tragedy brought painful memories of the 2018 Toronto van attack, which killed 10 pedestrians. AFP quoted a local resident who said, “It has occurred before, but I fear for the society that we live in, that these things can happen.”
The festival, celebrating Datu Lapu-Lapu, an Indigenous Filipino leader who resisted Spanish colonisation, had attracted large crowds. Organisers had planned parades, concerts, and food fairs for the occasion, including performances by two members of the Black Eyed Peas.
As the investigation continues, authorities have not yet released the names of the victims. Police expect to lay further charges as the case progresses.
