Canadian Filipinos mourn after attack on their community

Canadian Filipinos mourn after attack on their community

A man accused by police of a fatal car attack in Vancouver has been charged with murder as Canadian Filipinos mourn the attack on their community.

Kai-Ji-Adam Lo allegedly drove his car into a crowd at a street festival celebrating Filipino heritage on Saturday evening. At least 11 people were killed and several dozen were injured.

The suspect, who was arrested at the scene, had a history of mental health issues and had been in contact with authorities, according to police.

What happened?

Filipinos from south Vancouver had gathered for a street celebration to mark Lapu Lapu Day, an event that commemorates an indigenous leader who fought against Spanish colonization of the Philippines. However, what started as a happy celebration turned into a horror scene when a black Audi SUV was driven into the large crowd around 8 p.m. local time. The driver was believed to have acted alone and was the only person in the vehicle, police said.

Festival-goers and passers-by helped chase the driver, and he was later arrested at the scene, Vancouver police reported.

Who is the suspect?

Lo, a 30-year-old Vancouver resident, faced eight charges of second-degree murder, according to a police statement Sunday. He appeared in court and remains in custody.

Vancouver police said more charges are expected. No other identifying information, such as Lo's ethnicity or possible motives, was provided in the police statement - but authorities had previously said there was no indication the attack was an act of terrorism.

Who were the victims?

Eleven people between the ages of 5 and 65 were killed in the attack, police said. The names of those who died have not yet been released and some must first be formally identified.

Some of the injured remained in critical condition on Sunday, police reported at a news conference. Saturday's street festival was a family-friendly event where parents and children browsed food stalls and attended traditional dance performances.

The Filipino community in the province of British Columbia is shocked as the organizers of the event are in a... Statement on Instagram spoke of “deep sadness caused by this senseless tragedy”. A vigil was held Sunday evening, with photos showing people lighting candles and laying flowers near the crime scene.

What did the Philippine authorities say?

Authorities in Canada and the Philippines have condemned the attack and expressed their condolences to the affected families. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said those killed in this "unimaginable tragedy" will "not be forgotten" and that Filipino diplomats and staff in Vancouver have been directed to support the victims and coordinate with Canadian authorities.

The Philippine Consulate in Vancouver also issued a statement on Instagram: "As we await further information about the incident, we pray that our community remains strong and resilient during this difficult time, imbued with the spirit of Bayanihan," Bayanihan being the Filipino word for the spirit of helping together in times of need.

About 925,500 ethnic Filipinos live in Canada, according to the last census in 2021. The Philippines is the second largest source of immigrants after Canada, behind India. The largest concentration of Filipino population in Canada is in the province of Manitoba, followed by Alberta, Yukon, Saskatchewan and British Columbia.

What about the elections?

The tragedy occurred just days before Canada's crucial federal election on Monday, raising new questions about public safety. In response, authorities have sought to allay concerns and express confidence in existing security plans.

“Our top priority is and always will be to protect Vancouverites,” said Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim, emphasizing that Vancouver is “still a safe city” where the “vast majority” of events occur without incident. After the attack, he ordered a complete review of security precautions.

Acting Vancouver Police Chief Steve Rai also said authorities conducted a risk assessment before the festival, which largely took place on the grounds of a school that was not directly accessible from public roads.

He added that they found no “threats to the event or the Filipino community” and decided that no police officers and heavy vehicle barriers should be deployed on site. “While I am confident that the joint risk analysis and safety plan was sensible, we will work with our partners in the City of Vancouver to review all circumstances surrounding the planning of this event,” Rai said.

On Sunday, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said he was "deeply saddened" by the attack, while stressing that authorities see no "active threat" to Canadians. Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre, Carney's main opponent in the election, also expressed his condolences to the victims and their families.