Commonwealth_ A tragic car-ramming attack in Vancouver on Saturday evening claimed the lives of eleven individuals and left dozens more injured. The incident occurred at the annual Lapu Lapu festival, a celebration of Filipino culture, and has since left the community in shock and mourning.
The attack took place at approximately 20:14 local time (03:14 GMT) on 27 April, as the festival was in full swing. Tens of thousands of people had gathered to mark Lapu Lapu Day, an event dedicated to the Filipino national hero who resisted Spanish colonization in the 1500s. The suspect, identified as 30-year-old Kai-Ji Adam Lo, was taken into custody following the incident and faces multiple murder charges.
Witnesses reported that a single vehicle was involved in the attack, which took place on East 43rd Avenue and Fraser Street in the south of Vancouver. Eyewitnesses described a harrowing scene where the car plowed through the crowd, striking pedestrians in its path. Some festival-goers were near food trucks when the car came toward them, leading to chaos and panic among those present. One witness recalled seeing a man on the ground, with more casualties further down the street.
The police were able to apprehend Lo with the help of bystanders, who restrained him until officers arrived. Lo was later taken into custody and charged with eight counts of second-degree murder, though police have indicated that additional charges may follow as the investigation continues. At this point, authorities do not believe the incident to be an act of terrorism, though the motive remains unclear.
The victims of the attack were a diverse group, with nine females and two males ranging in age from a five-year-old girl to a 65-year-old man. In total, more than two dozen people were injured, and the identities of the victims have been shared online by their families. Among the deceased were members of the Le family, who had attended the festival to celebrate. Katie Le, five, was the youngest victim, alongside her parents Richard Le, 47, and Linh Hoang, 30. Katie was days away from graduating kindergarten, described as a joyful and vibrant child. Her 16-year-old brother, who had stayed home to study, is the only survivor of the immediate family.
Also among the victims was Kira Salim, a teacher and counselor at Fraser River Middle School and New Westminster Secondary School. Additionally, three members of a Colombian family—Glitza Daniela Samper, Daniel Samper, and their daughter Glitza Maria Caicedo—were killed in the attack.
The Lapu Lapu festival is an annual event that commemorates the heroism of Lapu Lapu, an indigenous chief from the Philippines who, in 1521, led his people to defeat Spanish forces under Ferdinand Magellan in the Battle of Mactan. Lapu Lapu’s victory delayed Spanish colonization in the region by over four decades, and he remains a symbol of resistance and pride in Filipino culture. Lapu Lapu Day, officially recognized by the government of British Columbia in 2023, celebrates his legacy, and the festival brings together Filipinos in Vancouver, who form one of the largest immigrant groups in the province.
While the festival is typically a joyful event meant to celebrate unity and the strength of the Filipino community, the attack has left a deep scar on the people of Vancouver. Many expressed their shock and grief at the loss of innocent lives during what was supposed to be a time of celebration. The community has rallied around the victims’ families, offering support and condolences in the wake of the tragedy.
The suspect, Kai-Ji Adam Lo, is known to have had interactions with police and healthcare professionals related to mental health issues. Vancouver’s mayor, Ken Sim, stated that mental health appeared to be a key factor in the attack, with Lo having been under the care of the provincial health ministry’s mental health team before the incident. However, Lo had given no indication of violence leading up to the attack, according to health authorities.
As the investigation continues, the community remains in mourning, and questions about the cause of the tragedy continue to emerge. With Lo in custody and facing serious charges, authorities are working to piece together the events that led to the deadly attack. In the meantime, the city of Vancouver and the Filipino community reflect on the senseless loss of life and continue to offer support to the victims’ families.
