Vancouver Man Charged with Murder After Deadly SUV Attack at Filipino Festival

A 30-year-old Vancouver man, Kai-Ji Adam Lo, has been charged with eight counts of second-degree murder following a tragic attack at a Filipino community festival on Saturday evening.

Lo rammed an SUV through a crowd at the Lapu-Lapu Day Block Party, killing at least 11 people and injuring dozens more, some critically. Police have warned the death toll could rise.

Lo, who has a significant history of mental health-related interactions with authorities, was arrested at the scene and appeared in court on Sunday. Authorities have ruled out terrorism as a motive. Vancouver’s Interim Chief Constable, Steve Rai, called the incident “the darkest day in our city’s history.”

The attack occurred in Vancouver’s Sunset neighborhood, home to a large Asian community, just after 8 p.m. The event, celebrating Philippine national hero Datu Lapu-Lapu, had no known security threats prior to the attack. Witnesses reported seeing the driver behave erratically before striking the crowd. Lo was chased and detained by festival-goers until police arrived.

Canadian leaders expressed shock and sorrow. Prime Minister Mark Carney, who paused his campaign to visit the scene, offered condolences to the Filipino-Canadian community. British Columbia Premier David Eby echoed the sentiments, emphasizing support for the affected families.

While Canada has seen fewer mass casualty attacks than the U.S., this incident follows previous vehicle-related attacks, including a 2021 attack on a Muslim family and the 2018 Toronto van attack.

The Filipino community in Vancouver, already grieving, has received support from across the globe, with many pledging to come together in the wake of this horrific tragedy.

The Lapu-Lapu Day Festival, recognized by the British Columbia government, celebrates Filipino culture and contributions, making this attack even more heartbreaking for the community.