VANCOUVER/CANADA: A man has been charged with multiple counts of murder following a tragic incident at a Filipino heritage festival in Vancouver, where he allegedly drove his vehicle into a crowd, resulting in the deaths of 11 individuals..
Kai-Ji Adam Lo, 30, faces eight counts of second-degree murder and appeared via video in court on Sunday shortly after his arrest at the festival grounds, according to Damienne Darby, a spokesperson for British Columbia prosecutors. As of now, Lo has not entered a plea.
Authorities have ruled out terrorism as a motive for the attack, but further charges may be forthcoming as the investigation continues. Reports indicate that Lo has a documented history of mental health challenges.
Police Interim Chief Steve Rai called it “the darkest day in Vancouver’s history.” There was no indication of a motive, but Rai said the suspect has “a significant history of interactions with police and health care professionals related to mental health.”
Prime Minister Mark Carney canceled his first campaign event and two major rallies on the final day of the election campaign before Monday’s vote.
“Last night families lost a sister, a brother, a mother, father, son or a daughter. Those families are living every family’s nightmare,” Carney said. “And to them and to the many others who were injured, to the Filipino Canadian community, and to everyone in Vancouver, I would like to offer my deepest condolences.”
Carney joined British Columbia Premier David Eby and community leaders Sunday evening in Vancouver.
“In this incredibly difficult moment, we will comfort the grieving, care for one another, and united in common purpose,” Carney posted in French and English on X along with a photo of him lighting a candle at a makeshift memorial near the scene of the attack.
Those killed were between the ages of 5 and 65, officials said. About two dozen people were injured, some critically, when the black Audi SUV sped down a closed street just after 8 p.m. Saturday and struck people attending the Lapu Lapu Day festival. Authorities had not released victims’ names by Sunday evening.
The tragedy was reminiscent of an attack in 2018, when a man used a van to kill 10 pedestrians in Toronto.
