Vancouver, Canada – April 26, 2025
A festive celebration turned into tragedy on Saturday evening when a black Audi SUV plowed into a crowd at the Lapu-Lapu Day festival in Vancouver’s Sunset on Fraser neighborhood. The devastating incident left 11 people dead and over 20 others hospitalized, some in critical condition. The victims ranged from 5 to 65 years old, devastating the close-knit Filipino community and the broader Vancouver population.
The suspect, 30-year-old Kai-Ji Adam Lo, a Vancouver resident with a significant history of mental health issues, was apprehended at the scene after attempting to flee. Authorities have charged Lo with eight counts of second-degree murder, with additional charges pending. Officials have ruled out terrorism as a motive.
Eyewitnesses described the horrifying scene as “like a bowling ball hitting bowling pins,” as festival attendees were thrown into the air upon impact. The crash occurred just after 8:00 p.m., amid celebrations of Lapu-Lapu Day, a festival commemorating the Filipino hero who resisted Spanish colonization. Now in its second year, the event has become a vital celebration for Vancouver’s Filipino community, which makes up nearly 6% of the city’s population.
In a national address, Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed deep sorrow, canceling his re-election campaign activities and pledging support to the grieving community. Carney is expected to visit Vancouver personally to meet with victims’ families and community leaders.
The tragedy has sparked urgent discussions about public event security and the need for expanded mental health services. Authorities have set up a 24-hour assistance center for affected families and survivors as investigations into the attack continue.
As Vancouver and the Filipino-Canadian community mourn this horrific loss, calls for unity, support, and resilience echo throughout the nation.
