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2025 Vancouver car attack

Coordinates: 49°13′52″N 123°05′28″W / 49.231°N 123.091°W / 49.231; -123.091
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2025 Vancouver car attack
Fraser Street south of East 41st Avenue. Traffic is blocked off with barricades, and a crowd of police officers and members of the public can be seen in the background.
Fraser Street south of East 41st Avenue on April 27, 2025, the day after the attack.
2025 Vancouver car attack is located in Vancouver City
Lapu-Lapu Day Festival
Lapu-Lapu Day Festival
2025 Vancouver car attack (Vancouver City)
LocationEast 43rd Avenue adjacent to Fraser Street[1]
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Coordinates49°13′52″N 123°05′28″W / 49.231°N 123.091°W / 49.231; -123.091
DateApril 26, 2025; 4 days ago (2025-04-26)
8:14 p.m. PDT (UTC−07:00)
Attack type
Vehicle-ramming attack
WeaponsAudi Q7 sports utility vehicle
Deaths11
Injured32+[2]
MotiveUnder investigation
AccusedKai-Ji Adam Lo
ChargesEight counts of second-degree murder

On April 26, 2025, a vehicle-ramming attack took place at the Lapu-Lapu Day festival, a public celebration of Filipino heritage in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The attack left eleven people dead and at least two dozen more injured, making it the deadliest attack in Vancouver's history. Alongside the 2018 Toronto van attack, it stands as the deadliest vehicle-ramming incident in Canadian history.

According to the Vancouver Police Department, the car attack was not an act of terrorism.[3][4]

Background

Lapu-Lapu Day is a Filipino celebration named for Lapu-Lapu, a Mactan chief who fought against Spanish colonization, and commemorates the victory of the chieftain and his allies against Ferdinand Magellan and his forces at the Battle of Mactan in 1521. British Columbia officially recognized the event in 2023, and an annual festival for Filipino Canadians—who hold a strong presence in Vancouver[5]—has been held in the city since the day was recognized in the province.[6]

According to two Vancouver City Council members, the venue was not cordoned off by city dump trucks as had been so at previous city festivals.[7] According to VPD interim chief Steve Rai, police had conducted a security assessment of the festival with the City of Vancouver and festival organizers and determined there were no threats to the event or Filipino community, noting the previous year's festival had "zero issues."[8] The Vancouver Sun Run scheduled for the next morning went ahead with increased police presence after the Vancouver Police Department determined there was no ongoing threat to public safety.[9]

The attack occurred two days before the 2025 Canadian federal election.[10] New Democratic Party leader Jagmeet Singh had attended the festival and left only minutes before the attack.[11]

Attack

The car, a black Audi Q7 SUV,[12] was speeding recklessly in the neighbourhood before turning onto the site of the attack. A minute or two before the attack, the car had made a U-turn and was pulled over to the roadside as if to park.[13]

At approximately 8:14 p.m. PDT (UTC−7), the car was driven at a high speed through a section of East 43rd Avenue west of Fraser Street.[14] The street had been converted into a food truck zone to serve the Lapu-Lapu Day Block Party, which was held at the adjacent John Oliver Secondary School.[15][16] Witnesses described bodies sent flying on impact with the car, and videos showed wreckage and victims scattered across a long stretch of road after the attack.[17]

Victims

Eleven people, ranging in age from 5 to 65, were killed and more than 24 others were injured, some critically.[18] Nine of the killed were female and two were male. They lived in various areas of Metro Vancouver.[19] As of April 27, some of the victims had not been identified.[20][21] Vancouver General Hospital received several victims[22] and announced a code orange, indicating a mass casualty incident.[23] On the following day, the Ministry of Health confirmed that 32 people (including the 11 dead) had been hospitalized, and that 17 people remained in hospital at that time.[24] As of April 29, ten people still remain hospitalized, consisting of seven critically injured victims and three others seriously. One of the hospitalized victims is a 22-month-old boy while the rest were adults.[25]

The dead included 34-year-old Brazilian musician Clara "Kira" Ganapol Salim, one of the founders of the Carnival group Marcha Nerd,[26][27] and a New Westminster school counsellor.[28] A couple and their 5-year-old daughter were all killed.[29] Another couple and their adult daughter from Colombia were killed [30]

Aftermath

The attack occurred in the final days of the Canadian federal election.

Following the attack, Mark Carney cancelled election events by the Liberal Party in Calgary and Richmond and went to the site of the attack on April 27 before meeting with relatives of the victims and participating in a church vigil. Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre made an unscheduled visit at a church in Mississauga to meet members of the Filipino community. New Democrat leader Jagmeet Singh cancelled his scheduled appearances on April 27.[31]

The roads surrounding where the attack took place, namely Fraser Street and East 43rd Avenue, remained closed in the days after.[32]

Accused

The driver, Kai-Ji Adam Lo,[33] a 30-year-old man from Vancouver,[5] was apprehended by bystanders after attempting to flee[34] and taken into custody by police.

He is believed to have acted alone and was the only occupant of the car.[35] The Vancouver Police confirmed that the accused has a significant history of interactions with police and healthcare professionals "related to mental health",[36] but he had no prior criminal record.[37] The police rejected terrorism as a motive in the incident.[38]

On January 28, 2024, Lo's 31-year-old older brother, Alexander, was found dead in their Kensington-Cedar Cottage area home in East Vancouver. A suspect was charged with second-degree murder in connection to the killing, pleading not guilty in October 2024 with trial pending as of April 2025.[39]

Lo organized an online fundraiser to cover costs of his brother's funeral, and received over $9,000 in donations. In August 2024, Lo's mother attempted suicide and was in hospital for a month. Adam Lo organized another online fundraiser to assist the family.[37]

Police had an interaction with Lo on April 25. The only detail about the interaction released by police as of April 27 was that they decided that a hospital visit was not required.[13]

Hours before the attack, a family member had contacted a psychiatric ward about Lo's deteriorating mental health. He appeared to suffer from delusions and paranoia. It is currently unknown whether any action was taken.[37] Vancouver Coastal Health confirmed that at the time of the attack, Lo was under the care of a mental health team and was on extended leave from hospital in accordance with the Mental Health Act. They also said there was no indication Lo was a public safety risk.[25]

Criminal proceedings

Lo was charged with eight counts of second-degree murder under Section 235 of the Criminal Code and made a court appearance for a bail hearing on the afternoon of April 27. Lo will remain in police custody after not requesting bail during the appearance.[37][40] Lo's next court appearance in the Provincial Court of British Columbia is scheduled for May 26.[24] Vancouver Police indicated that further charges would likely be laid in the coming days as the investigation continues to identify victims.[37]

Responses

Numerous local and national political figures offered their condolences, including Prime Minister Mark Carney, federal Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre, federal New Democratic Party leader Jagmeet Singh (who had attended the festival earlier in the day),[23] Governor General Mary Simon,[41] British Columbia premier David Eby, Vancouver mayor Ken Sim,[12][23] federal Green Party co-leader Elizabeth May, [41] and King Charles III.[42] Vancouver Police Department interim chief Steve Rai described the attack as "the darkest day in our city's history".[43]

Professional tennis player Leylah Fernandez offered condolences to the victims saying she was "absolutely devastated to hear about the death of my fellow Canadian-Filipinos", "My heart goes to the families and the communities of the fallen victims" and "I love you all, stay strong, and I hope to see you soon" on an Instagram video.[44]

The Philippine Consulate General in Vancouver expressed sympathy.[6] In the Philippines, President Bongbong Marcos, Vice President Sara Duterte, and several senators expressed sadness and outrage over the attack as well as sympathy for the victims.[45][46][47]

Vancouver Whitecaps FC held a moment of silence for the victims of the attack and held a Philippine flag prior to their game against Minnesota United FC on April 26.[48][unreliable source?]

References

  1. ^ "'Bodies everywhere': 11 people killed, many injured at Lapu Lapu Day in Vancouver". Vancouver Sun. April 26, 2025. Archived from the original on April 27, 2025. Retrieved April 28, 2025.
  2. ^ Ip, Stephanie; Grochowski, Sarah; Ryan, Denise (April 28, 2025). "In memoriam: Family of three among the victims identified in Lapu Lapu Day tragedy". Vancouver Sun. ISSN 0832-1299. Archived from the original on April 28, 2025. Retrieved April 28, 2025.
  3. ^ "Vancouver Live: Nine killed and suspect arrested after vehicle hit crowd at Lapu-Lapu street festival". Reuters. April 27, 2025. Retrieved April 27, 2025.
  4. ^ "Car drives into Vancouver's Lapu Lapu street festival crowd: What we know". Al Jazeera. Retrieved April 28, 2025.
  5. ^ a b Masih, Niha; Sands, Leo (April 27, 2025). "Multiple people killed, injured after vehicle runs into Vancouver crowd". The Washington Post. Retrieved April 27, 2025.
  6. ^ a b Lautens, Kristjan (April 27, 2025). "Vancouver killings: Several people dead, others injured after driver goes through Filipino street festival, police say". Toronto Star. Retrieved April 27, 2025.
  7. ^ Dobie, Cayley; Chan, Cheryl; Bolan, Jim; Johnston, Patrick; Ip, Stephanie (April 26, 2025). "'Bodies everywhere': Multiple people killed, injured at Lapu Lapu Day in Vancouver". Vancouver Sun. Archived from the original on April 27, 2025. Retrieved April 26, 2025.
  8. ^ Howell, Mike. "Vancouver mayor orders review of event safety measures after deadly festival attack". Coast Reporter. Retrieved April 28, 2025.
  9. ^ Chan, Kenneth (April 27, 2025). "Philippines flag raised at Vancouver Sun Run start line after Lapu Lapu Day festival tragedy". Daily Hive. Retrieved April 28, 2025.
  10. ^ Meenaktshi, Harshita (April 26, 2025). "Multiple dead, injured in Vancouver after vehicle plows into street festival". Reuters. Retrieved April 26, 2025.
  11. ^ Johansen, Crookall; Nicholas, Sarah (April 27, 2025). "Federal NDP leader Jagmeet Singh says ending campaign in Penticton is 'a tradition'". Castanet. Archived from the original on April 28, 2025. Retrieved April 28, 2025.
  12. ^ a b Judd, Amy (April 26, 2025). "Multiple killed, injured after vehicle drives into Lapu Lapu festival in Vancouver". Global News. Archived from the original on April 27, 2025. Retrieved April 26, 2025.
  13. ^ a b Judd, Amy (April 27, 2025). "Lapu Lapu festival tragedy: Vancouver man charged with murder". Global News. Retrieved April 28, 2025.
  14. ^ Kulkarni, Akshay (April 27, 2025). "Vancouver man charged with 8 counts of murder in Lapu-Lapu Day festival tragedy". CBC News. Retrieved April 28, 2025.
  15. ^ Brennan, Lyle (April 27, 2025). "Driver Hits Crowd at Vancouver Festival, Leaving Multiple Dead". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved April 27, 2025.
  16. ^ "Multiple people dead after driver rams vehicle into crowd at Vancouver street festival: police". The Globe and Mail. April 26, 2025. Retrieved April 26, 2025.
  17. ^ "Vancouver wakes to tragedy of nine dead in ramming attack on Filipino street festival". CTV News. April 27, 2025. Retrieved April 27, 2025.
  18. ^ "Man charged with murder in car ramming of Vancouver festival crowd". NBC News. April 28, 2025. Retrieved April 28, 2025.
  19. ^ Ali, Amir (April 28, 2025). "Police interacted with suspect day before Vancouver festival attack". Daily Hive. Retrieved April 29, 2025.
  20. ^ Ali, Amir (April 27, 2025). "Mayor says Vancouver is "still a safe city" after Filipino festival tragedy". Daily Hive. Retrieved April 27, 2025.
  21. ^ "No active threats to Canadians after Vancouver attack, Carney says. Live updates here". CTV News. April 27, 2025. Retrieved April 27, 2025.
  22. ^ Chinchilla, Rudy; Romero, Dennis (April 26, 2025). "Multiple dead and injured as driver plows into Vancouver crowd, police say". NBC News. Retrieved April 26, 2025.
  23. ^ a b c "Several people killed, others injured after vehicle drives into Vancouver street festival crowd". CBC News. April 26, 2025. Archived from the original on April 27, 2025. Retrieved April 26, 2025.
  24. ^ a b Kulkarni, Akshay (April 27, 2025). "Vancouver man charged with 8 counts of murder in Lapu-Lapu Day festival tragedy". CBC News. Archived from the original on April 27, 2025. Retrieved April 27, 2025.
  25. ^ a b "Man accused in mass killing at Vancouver Filipino festival was on leave from hospital". CTV News. April 29, 2025. Retrieved April 29, 2025.
  26. ^ Alcântara, Manoela; Portela, Maria Eduarda (April 27, 2025). "Brasileira está entre vítimas de atropelamento em festival no Canadá" [Brazilian national is among the victims of a hit-and-run at a festival in Canada]. Metrópoles (in Portuguese). Retrieved April 28, 2025.
  27. ^ "Quem era Kira Salim, vítima brasileira morta em atropelamento no Canadá" [Who was Kira Salim, the Brazilian victim killed in a hit-and-run in Canada]. Estadão (in Portuguese). April 27, 2025. Retrieved April 28, 2025.
  28. ^ Gomez, Michelle (April 28, 2025). "Victim in Lapu-Lapu Day festival tragedy identified as school counsellor". CBC News. Retrieved April 28, 2025.
  29. ^ "Parents, 5-year-old girl killed in Vancouver festival attack". Daily Hive. April 28, 2025. Retrieved April 29, 2025.
  30. ^ https://www.ctvnews.ca/vancouver/article/three-members-of-family-from-colombia-died-in-bc-festival-attack-says-son/
  31. ^ "Girl, 5, among Vancouver dead as suspect charged". BBC News. April 28, 2025. Retrieved April 28, 2025.
  32. ^ "Lapu Lapu Day mass casualty incident". City of Vancouver. Archived from the original on April 28, 2025. Retrieved April 28, 2025.
  33. ^ Andrew Weichel; Lisa Steacy; Kaija Jussinoja (April 27, 2025). "Suspect charged with murder in Vancouver Filipino festival attack". CP24. Retrieved April 27, 2025.
  34. ^ "'A number of people' killed in Vancouver after car driven into crowd at Filipino festival". CityNews. April 26, 2025. Archived from the original on April 27, 2025. Retrieved April 26, 2025.
  35. ^ "Lapu Lapu festival: PM Carney 'heartbroken' after man drives car into Vancouver festival killing nine". BBC News. Archived from the original on April 27, 2025. Retrieved April 27, 2025.
  36. ^ "Police say death toll from car ramming at Vancouver festival has risen to 11". BBC News. Retrieved April 27, 2025.
  37. ^ a b c d e Bolan, Kim (April 27, 2025). "Driver charged with murder in Vancouver's Lapu Lapu Day tragedy". Vancouver Sun. Archived from the original on April 28, 2025. Retrieved April 28, 2025.
  38. ^ "11 killed as a vehicle plows into a Filipino street festival in Vancouver. Police rule out terrorism". AP News. Retrieved April 27, 2025.
  39. ^ "Preliminary inquiry starts on Vancouver murder charge". October 21, 2024. Retrieved April 27, 2025.
  40. ^ Schmunk, Rhianna (April 27, 2025). "Vancouver festival tragedy: Suspect charged with 8 counts of murder, court records show". CBC News.
  41. ^ a b "Suspect charged with eight counts of second degree murder after Vancouver car ramming". BBC News. Archived from the original on April 27, 2025. Retrieved April 27, 2025.
  42. ^ "King and Queen pay tribute to victims of 'dreadful attack' after car kills nine in Vancouver". The Independent. April 27, 2025. Retrieved April 28, 2025.
  43. ^ "11 confirmed dead in 'mass casualty event' at Vancouver Filipino festival". CTV News. April 27, 2025. Archived from the original on April 27, 2025. Retrieved April 27, 2025.
  44. ^ "Canadian tennis star says 'heart goes out to' victims of Vancouver attack". CTV News. April 29, 2025. Retrieved April 29, 2025.
  45. ^ Maralit, Kristina (April 27, 2025). "Marcos 'shattered' by Vancouver attack that left nine dead". The Manila Times. Retrieved April 27, 2025.
  46. ^ Antonio, Reymund (April 28, 2025). "VP Sara condemns car attack in Vancouver Filipino festival". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved April 28, 2025.
  47. ^ Mangalus, Jean (April 28, 2025). "'Senseless and cruel': Philippine senators decry Vancouver SUV attack". The Philippine Star. Retrieved April 28, 2025.
  48. ^ "Vancouver Whitecaps honor Filipino community amid festival tragedy". MLS Multiplex. April 28, 2025.
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