A 30-year-old person has been charged with murder after a catastrophic car-ramming event at a Vancouver-based festival celebrating Filipino identity left 11 people dead and dozens injured.
According to authorities, Vancouver native Kai-Ji Adam Lo was accused of eight counts of second-degree death, with additional charges pending, according to AFP news agency.
The attack took place on Saturday evening during the lively street festival in honor of a Filipino regional hero, Lapu Lapu Day. Witnesses described horrifying images as a dark Audi SUV struck people between the ages of five and 65 as it passed through the busy streets.
According to AP, it was” the saddest day in Vancouver’s history,” according to Vancouver Police Chief Steve Rai.
Police stated that violence had been out, citing Lo’s extensive history of mental health problems and past encounters with law enforcement. Rai claimed that Lo had a” major history” of interactions with officers and mental health services.
Before officials took the suspect into captivity, spectators detained him at the scene. A man in a black hoodie is seen saying” I’m sorry” while surrounded by angry festivalgoers in video footage that has been circulated on social media.
Witnesses raconted terrifying images. According to AP, Chris Pangilinan, owner of a pop-up location, said the SUV initially moved quietly before” slamming on the gasoline,” sending body flying “higher than the food trucks themselves.” Carayn Nulada, a different festival goer, described shielding her children from the car while her girl escaped with only minor injuries.
Mark Carney, the prime minister of Canada, canceled his final campaign events prior to Monday’s election, and expressed profound sorrow. He said,” Next day people lost a girl, a brother, a mother, a father, a brother, or a princess,” shedding tears. Carney continued,” Those people are living every mother’s problem.”
Ferdinand Marcos Jr, president of the Philippines, also expressed his sympathies, saying he was” fully shattered” by the drama. People were assured that the Philippine Consulate General in Vancouver was cooperating with American authorities.
Premier of British Columbia, David Eby, vowed that the tragedy do not ignore the spirit of the event, citing the significant contributions made by the Filipino community to American society.
On Sunday night, hundreds of people gathered for a light ceremony in memory of the patients. Mayor of Vancouver Kenneth Sim remarked,” I know many of us are afraid and feel uneasy,” but he also emphasized that Vancouver “is also a healthy town.”
The tragic event brought back painful memories of the 2018 Toronto van attack, in which ten commuters were killed. According to a nearby resident who quoted by AFP,” It has happened before, but I fear for the world that we live in, that these things can happen.”
Huge crowds were present at the event, which honors Datu Lapu-Lapu, an aboriginal Filipino leader who fought Spanish colonization. Organisers had planned parades, music, and food fair for the celebration, including two Black Eyed Peas members ‘ performances.
Officials have not yet released the names of the subjects as the research progresses. As the investigation gets going, authorities anticipate filing more fees.
