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A horrific incident unfolded at Vancouver’s Lapu Lapu festival on April 27, when a car drove into a crowd, resulting in the deaths of 11 people and injuring many more. The attack occurred after 8 p.m. local time near E. 41st Avenue and Fraser, where a large group of Filipino community members had gathered to celebrate. The event, meant to bring people together in joy, was instead marked by tragedy and fear.
A Sudden, Deadly Blow
According to Vancouver police, the attack took place when Kai-Ji Adam Lo, a 30-year-old Vancouver resident, rammed an SUV into the crowd. Authorities have charged Lo with killing 11 people, aged between 5 and 65, and injuring dozens of others. The incident shocked the city and raised many questions about how such a tragedy could unfold in a community celebration. Lo faces eight counts of second-degree murder, with additional charges expected as investigations continue.
Police confirmed that Lo had a history related to mental health issues and was known to law enforcement and mental health professionals prior to the event. However, there was no immediate interaction between Lo and the police leading up to the attack.
“This is the darkest day in our city’s history,” Vancouver Police Chief Steve Rai said, reflecting the shock and grief that gripped the city following the incident.
The Man Behind the Wheel: Kai-Ji Adam Lo
Kai-Ji Adam Lo’s background has come under scrutiny following the deadly incident. Lo, a 30-year-old local resident, reportedly had mental health struggles, which may have contributed to the tragedy. After driving the SUV into the crowd at the Filipino community festival, Lo was arrested at the scene by authorities.
Lo’s history with mental health professionals and law enforcement indicates that he had been known to authorities before the attack. As investigations continue, more details about his past and possible motivations are expected to emerge.
Eyewitnesses Describe the Horror
Festivalgoers who witnessed the attack described the terrifying moment in chilling detail. Kris Pangilinan, one of the attendees, told CBC about the moment the SUV raced down the street. “He just slammed the pedal down and rammed into hundreds of people. It was like seeing a bowling ball hit — all the bowling pins and all the pins flying up in the air,” he said.
Jen Idaba-Castaneto, another festival attendee, spoke about the emotional aftermath of the attack. “We’re all OK physically, but honestly, I’m still very shaken up. I’m in shock and have been experiencing panic attacks after witnessing everything that happened,” she shared with Glacier Media.
Witnesses also described the scene of devastation left in the SUV’s wake. Dale Selipe, an eyewitness, recalled seeing injured children lying on the street. “There was a lady with her eyes staring up, one of her legs was already broken. One person was holding her hand, trying to comfort her,” she said, struggling to process the chaos around her.
The Devastation of the Aftermath
As the crowd scattered in fear and confusion, festival security guard Jen Idaba-Castaneto witnessed the true extent of the tragedy. “You don’t know who to help, here or there,” she recalled, describing bodies lying on the street. “There were so many injuries, it was overwhelming, and the chaos made it difficult to know where to turn.”
The attack has left the city of Vancouver in mourning, with many still grappling with the emotional toll of the event. The loss of life, including children and adults from all walks of life, has shocked not only the Filipino community but the entire city.
The Impact on the Filipino Community
The Lapu Lapu festival was meant to be a celebration of Filipino culture and heritage, an event where people could come together and enjoy each other’s company. Instead, it has become a tragic reminder of the vulnerability of public gatherings and the devastating consequences when violence erupts without warning.
Vancouver residents and officials alike are now left to process the scale of the tragedy, while authorities continue to investigate what drove Lo to carry out such an attack. The city is also grappling with the deeper issue of how to address mental health struggles and ensure that those in need of support get the help they deserve before something like this happens again.
