Vancouver suspect called police before SUV attack that killed 11 at a festival. Mental health care failures now under scrutiny amid growing public outrage.
A Chilling Call Before Chaos
Just one day before a devastating vehicle attack killed 11 people at a Filipino cultural festival in Vancouver, a man now facing murder charges placed a disturbing call to police.
Kai-ji Adam Lo, the accused, phoned Richmond RCMP in the early hours of Friday morning. He claimed someone was throwing things into his black SUV. A police officer spoke with him on the phone shortly before 3 a.m. and documented the incident in a police system—but no further action was taken.
The next day, that same SUV allegedly plowed through the Lapu Lapu Day festival, leaving behind one of the deadliest mass killings in B.C. history.
Known to Police, Known to the System
Lo wasn’t a stranger to law enforcement. Police sources say he was considered a “frequent flyer”—a person who often made calls about paranoid fears, especially related to his vehicle. At the time, Lo was on extended release from a psychiatric hospital and under the supervision of a mental-health team from Vancouver Coastal Health.
Despite this, there were no immediate red flags raised after his call to RCMP.
Mental Health Warnings Overlooked?
Psychiatrist Dr. Bill MacEwan says Lo’s repeated calls and his visible paranoia should have triggered stronger intervention from his care team.
“If the mental health team was aware of these episodes and didn’t reassess him, the system clearly failed,” MacEwan said. He explained that individuals with severe conditions like schizophrenia—Lo’s diagnosed illness—usually require regular check-ins, especially when showing signs of distress.
Even if Lo was taking medication, MacEwan stressed, “the degree of paranoia is not something that should be ignored.”
Fit to Drive—or a Danger on the Road?
The SUV used in the attack was co-owned by Lo and his mother. It remains unclear if he was legally allowed to drive given his mental health status. While neither health authorities nor police would confirm this, ICBC stated that all drivers must be medically fit to operate a vehicle in B.C.
Doctors are legally required to report individuals who may be unfit to drive to RoadSafetyBC—but whether that happened in Lo’s case is still unknown.
Aftermath and Accountability
Lo is currently facing eight counts of second-degree murder, with more charges expected. Vancouver Police say they only became aware of his April 25 call after the tragedy occurred.
Meanwhile, the province is reeling.
Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim announced that a public memorial will be held in about two weeks to honor the victims. He also called for a full investigation into how this could have been prevented—and how B.C.’s mental health system failed to intervene before it was too late.
“This isn’t just a health crisis anymore. It’s a public safety crisis,” Sim said.
Interim Police Chief Steve Rai echoed that sentiment, calling for a more robust and coordinated approach. “The police are just one part of the solution. We need a comprehensive system that catches warning signs before it’s too late.”
Premier Promises Action—but Cautions Against Rushing to Blame
Premier David Eby declared Friday a provincial day of mourning. He also announced an urgent review and modernization of B.C.’s Mental Health Act.
Still, Eby urged the public to wait for the facts. “Before we blame anyone, let’s be sure of what really happened. We will get the answers.”
A Community in Grief, A System Under Scrutiny
As families mourn and community leaders prepare memorials, serious questions remain unanswered. Could this have been prevented? Was the system too slow—or too blind—to see the warning signs?
