A 30-year-old man has been charged with multiple counts of murder after a vehicle rammed into a Filipino community festival in Vancouver, killing 11 people, including a five-year-old child, and injuring dozens more.
The British Columbia Prosecution Service confirmed that Kai-Ji Adam Lo, a Vancouver resident, faces eight counts of second-degree murder, with additional charges still possible. He appeared in court on Sunday and remains in custody.
The incident took place around 8:14 p.m. on Saturday during the Lapu-Lapu Day Block Party, held near 43rd Avenue and Fraser Street. The annual event, now in its second year, celebrates Filipino heritage and featured performances, including an appearance by J Rey Soul of the Black Eyed Peas. Authorities estimated that a “few thousand” people were attending when the tragedy struck.
Vancouver Police Deputy Chief Constable Steve Rai described the scene as horrific, with victims and debris scattered across the road. “This is the darkest day in our city’s history,” Rai said in a press conference, adding that the victims ranged in age from 5 to 65 years old.
Officials ruled out terrorism as a motive, noting that the suspect has a significant history of mental health issues.
Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim, who attended a vigil held at Kensington Park on Sunday, reflected the community’s grief. “You can feel it here, the community is devastated,” he said. “We’re heartbroken, we’re sad, we’re scared and there’s a bit of anger there too. A lot of people are just wondering how this could happen in the city of Vancouver.”
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney also addressed the tragedy, calling it a “car ramming attack.” He said, “Last night, families lost a sister, a brother, a mother, a father, a son, or a daughter. Those families are living every family’s nightmare.”
Investigations are ongoing as the community mourns the lives lost just a day before Canada’s national election.
