Tragedy struck Vancouver on Saturday evening when a car plowed into a crowd at the Filipino Lapu Lapu Day street festival, leaving at least 11 people dead and dozens injured. The victims range in age from 5 to 65 years old.
According to the Vancouver Police Department (VPD), the incident occurred shortly after 8 p.m. near East 43rd Avenue and Fraser Street. Emergency services were flooded with 911 calls, and multiple crews rushed to the scene.
BC Emergency Health Services reported deploying over 22 vehicles, including Primary Care and Advanced Care Paramedics, supervisors, and special teams. In total, 26 patients were treated and transported to local hospitals, with conditions described as ranging from critical to serious.
VPD Interim Chief Steve Rai confirmed that a 30-year-old Vancouver man, Kai-Ji Adam Lo, has been taken into custody. The suspect is now facing eight charges of second-degree murder, according to the BC Prosecution Service.
Chief Rai revealed that the suspect has a significant history of interactions with both police and healthcare professionals related to mental health issues.
As of Sunday afternoon, authorities confirmed that the death toll remains at 11. Many of those injured remain in critical condition, and some victims have yet to be identified.
“There are many unanswered questions about why this horrific crime happened, the motive behind it, and whether anything could have been done to prevent it,” Rai said. “We are working hard to uncover all the answers.”
Investigations are ongoing as the community mourns the devastating loss.
