Tragedy strikes Vancouver’s Lapu-Lapu Day festival, where an SUV rams into the crowd, killing 11 and injuring over 20 people. Police arrest a suspect with a history of mental health issues.
In a horrific incident Saturday evening, 11 people were killed, and more than 20 others were injured after a black SUV slammed into the crowd at Vancouver’s Lapu-Lapu Day Block Party. The event, a celebration of Filipino culture, was winding down when the vehicle crashed through a gathering of festival-goers.
The Lapu-Lapu Day celebration, which had attracted up to 100,000 attendees, was held near East 41st Avenue and Fraser Street, marking a day meant to honor the Filipino community and their contributions. The deadly attack occurred shortly after 8:00 p.m. PT, during the final moments of the festival, and it has left the community in shock and mourning.
Vancouver Police have confirmed that a 30-year-old man was arrested at the scene in connection with the incident. While specific details on the suspect’s identity remain under wraps, police confirmed that the man had a history with law enforcement and mental health professionals.
Interim Vancouver Police Chief Steve Rai described the event as “the darkest day in our city’s history,” and stressed the lasting impact of the tragedy. “The actions of a single person shattered our collective sense of safety,” Rai said during a press briefing. “It is impossible to overstate how many lives have been impacted forever by this lone individual.”
A Community Shattered
Witnesses to the terrifying scene described an atmosphere of confusion and chaos as the vehicle swerved into the crowd. Eyewitness Kris Pangilinan, a Toronto-based journalist, shared the distressing image of seeing “countless” people lying on the ground, some severely injured. “It was like a war zone,” he recounted, describing the aftermath as “overwhelming” and “shocking.”
The SUV, which approached from East 43rd Avenue, struck the crowd and continued through the small, enclosed area. Bystanders immediately rushed to assist those hit, and emergency services arrived promptly. The suspect was apprehended by onlookers and later handed over to police.
Canada’s Prime Minister, Mark Carney, expressed his heartbreak, offering condolences to the victims and their families, stating that Canadians are devastated by the “horrific events” that unfolded during an event meant to celebrate the Filipino-Canadian community.
A Celebration Turned Tragic
The Lapu-Lapu Day festival, named after Datu Lapu Lapu, a Filipino resistance leader who fought against Spanish colonization, was intended as a joyful celebration of the Filipino community’s enduring impact and the spirit of bayanihan, a traditional Filipino value emphasizing community unity.
The event had been a celebration of resilience, filled with music, performances, and food, featuring Apl.de.ap, a Filipino-American rapper and member of the Black Eyed Peas. Tragically, just as the final moments of the celebration unfolded, the event became the site of an unthinkable act of violence.
Witnesses described the SUV’s arrival as swift and deliberate. Joshua Polintan, another eyewitness, voiced his frustration, saying, “I am mad at whoever did that because why would you do that?” While the true motive behind the attack is still unclear, Polintan noted, “I don’t know if it was a hate crime… but it was just wrong.”
Ongoing Investigation
The investigation into the attack is being led by the Vancouver Police Major Crime Section.
Police have stated that they do not believe the incident was a terror attack, and there are no confirmed threats to the Filipino community or the event prior to the incident.
Despite the immense shock and devastation, the police confirmed that mental health issues related to the suspect’s background are central to understanding the motives behind the attack.
In the aftermath of the event, both local and international figures have reached out with messages of support. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. expressed his sorrow, saying he was “shattered” by the news. Similarly, Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim and local officials conveyed their shock and heartfelt sympathies, standing in solidarity with the victims and their families.
The Road to Healing
The Filipino-Canadian community is reeling from the impact of this tragedy. Filipino B.C., a community group involved in organizing the event, expressed devastation in a statement, urging those affected by the trauma to seek support through mental health resources. They also extended their condolences to the families of those lost and injured in the incident.
For the people of Vancouver, this tragedy marks a dark chapter in what should have been a celebration of cultural diversity and unity. The road to recovery will be long, but the city remains resilient, standing in support of all those who have been touched by this senseless tragedy.
Stay tuned to Maple News Wire as we continue to provide updates on this tragic event and its aftermath, along with further details on how the city of Vancouver is responding to the tragedy.
