A suspect has been charged with murder following a car-ramming attack in Vancouver, Canada, that killed 11 people at a Filipino street festival. Kai-Ji Adam Lo, a 30-year-old from Vancouver, was charged with eight counts of second-degree murder, with additional charges expected. The attack occurred during the Lapu Lapu Festival, which was celebrating Filipino heritage in the city’s Sunset on Fraser neighborhood. The festival, which commemorates Lapu Lapu, a Filipino anti-colonial leader, turned into a tragedy when Lo allegedly drove a black Audi SUV into the crowd, leaving several injured and dead.
Vancouver police have confirmed that terrorism is not a factor, though no clear motive for the attack has been identified. Lo, who has a history of mental health issues and previous interactions with law enforcement, was taken into custody after appearing in court. Police Chief Steve Rai mentioned that Lo’s history with the police and mental health professionals is significant, but further details remain unclear.
The attack occurred on the eve of Canada’s general election, which was already under the shadow of rising tensions with the United States. US President Donald Trump’s controversial trade policies, including heavy tariffs on Canadian products, had dominated the political discourse, with his threat to annex Canada looming over the race. The attack has shocked the nation, bringing an outpouring of grief and solidarity.
Prime Minister Mark Carney, visibly emotional, addressed the nation, expressing his sorrow over the deaths. He also visited Vancouver the following day, bringing flowers to a church vigil in memory of the victims. “Last night families lost a sister, a brother, a mother, a father, a son, or a daughter,” Carney said, his voice breaking as he acknowledged the pain of those affected. The Prime Minister’s visit and the national mourning highlight the deep emotional impact the attack has had on Canada.
Eyewitness accounts paint a harrowing picture of the scene. One festivalgoer, Dale Selipe, described seeing children and others lying injured on the ground after the SUV crashed into the crowd. A local security guard, Jen Idaba-Castaneto, reported that she saw bodies scattered around the area, making it difficult to know where to begin helping. The attack’s brutality has left many reeling, as the community tries to process the loss of so many lives during a cultural celebration.
The Filipino community in Vancouver, which has grown significantly in recent years, has been left in shock. The Filipino government, led by President Ferdinand Marcos, expressed its condolences, while Canada’s political leaders also offered their support. Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre tweeted his shock at the tragedy, while other officials spoke out against the senseless violence.
This tragic event is reminiscent of the 2018 van attack in Toronto, which claimed the lives of 11 people. That incident, too, left the country grappling with questions about safety and societal divisions. In the wake of the Vancouver attack, many Canadians, like Ottawa resident Julie Dunbar, expressed their fear that such incidents are becoming more frequent, contributing to a growing sense of unease.
As Vancouver and the rest of Canada mourn, the country heads into an election on the following day. The events surrounding the attack, as well as the tension with the United States, have shaped the political landscape, with voters closely watching how candidates address national security and trade relations.
In a statement, Vancouver police called the attack the “darkest day in our city’s history,” a sentiment echoed by many across the country. The grief from the Lapu Lapu Festival tragedy will undoubtedly resonate throughout Canada for years to come.
