Vancouver police confirmed on Sunday morning that 11 people were killed and dozens more injured when a man drove an SUV into a crowd at the Lapu Lapu Day festival in Vancouver on Saturday night.
Interim police Chief Const. Steve Rai said the number of deceased could rise in the coming days or weeks due to the extent of the injuries.
“This was a senseless, heartbreaking act of violence,” he said.
“It is the darkest day in our city’s history. The actions of a single person shattered our collective sense of safety.”
No details have been released about the victims.
Rai said the suspect, who remains in custody, approached the festival from East 43rd Avenue and drove through the crowd.
The festival was taking place mainly on the grounds of a school located at 41st Avenue and Fraser Street.
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The driver, a 30-year-old Vancouver resident, was the lone occupant and Rai said evidence does not lead investigators to believe it was an act of terrorism, however, his motive remains unclear.
Rai confirmed that barricades did not block the area where the driver entered the festival.
He added that the driver has a significant history of interactions with police in connection with mental health issues.
His name has not been released as no charges have yet been laid.
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Vancouver Filipino community mourns victims of fatal Lapu Lapu Day event
Lapu Lapu Day was officially declared in B.C. on April 27, 2023.
The festival celebrates the enduring impact of Filipino values, notably the spirit of Bayanihan – the collective community effort — on the Vancouver community.
Officials with Filipino BC held a press conference on Sunday morning saying they are devastated by what happened.
They said the focus now is supporting the victims and their families and trying to make sense of this devastating Vancouver festival tragedy.
B.C.’s Premier David Eby said his thoughts are with the community, and the victims and their families.
He expressed shock and sadness at what happened on Saturday night.
“What we don’t know is why,” Eby said but he was confident in the police investigation.
“We need these celebrations in the community, but we also need them to be safe.”
Eby said he knows British Columbians will be angry and they have a right to be. “Obviously, this person is profoundly ill,” he said. “But there are so many questions that I have, that British Columbians have, that allowed us to get to this point.”
Communities are coming together in response to the grief and tragedy.
Migrante BC and BAYAN BC organizations held a prayer vigil on Sunday at the morning mass at St. Mary the Virgin South Hill Church (a largely Filipino congregation) at 808 East 50th Avenue.
The Philippine Consulate General in Vancouver is hosting hotline numbers for those affected by the tragedy.
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