A teacher, a badminton and tennis coach, a kindergarten student, a wife and a mother.
These are just some of the victims who have been identified following the Lapu Lapu festival tragedy that happened in Vancouver on Saturday, April 26.
Family, friends and loved ones have started identifying those who have been lost. GoFundMe has been provided a list of verified fundraisers and caution against other unverified ones circulating online.
In addition, the Philippine Consulate General is warning the public that it has not created any fundraising efforts nor has it sanctioned any entities to raise funds on behalf of the victims of the Lapu Lapu Day incident.
Eleven people were killed when an SUV drove into a crowd of people at the festival, which was being held on the grounds of a school at East 41st Avenue and Fraser Street.
Vancouver police confirmed that the victims range in age from five to 65 years old. Seven of the victims are women, two are men, one is non-binary and one is a child.
Three members of the Samper family were killed in the tragedy.
Glitza Daniela Samper (Nena), Glitza Maria Caicedo Samper (Bachita) and Daniel Samper have been identified in the GoFundMe.
“As a family of Colombian immigrants, the Samper-Caicedo family loved to spend time together at cultural events around the city that celebrated the diversity of Vancouver,” the fundraiser states.
“Nena, Bachita and Daniel were a part of a family that loved each other immensely. They immigrated to Canada in the early 2000s from Colombia in hopes of a peaceful and prosperous future for Nena and Alejo (son of Bachita and Daniel, brother of Nena). Now, Alejo is left without his mother, father and sister; he has lost his entire immediate family. Nena was supposed to marry her fiancé, Jordan, next year, who survived the incident.”
Besides Alejo and Jordan, Bachita, Daniel and Nena have left behind many cousins, uncles and aunts, and friends who are deeply heartbroken and impacted.
One of the victims has been identified as Rizza, a woman who came to Canada from the Philippines with her husband.
“She was the sweetest soul, kind-hearted, humble, and hardworking person,” the GoFundMe states.
“Now, in the wake of this unthinkable loss, our family is asking for your help. Leaving her husband, younger brother, and a few of us here in Canada, we are doing everything we can to reunite Rizza with her loved ones back home in the Philippines, to lay her to rest with the family who raised her and loved her deeply.”
Teacher-counsellor Kira Salim was also identified in a statement Monday from the superintendent at the New Westminster school district.
It said the loss of a friend and colleague has left them all shocked and heartbroken.
“Kira was a valued member of our community whose wisdom and care for our middle and secondary school students had a powerful impact. Their work, and the great spirit they brought to it, changed lives,” the statement said.
They were also well-known in the drag community.
Julio Fox was their Drag King name.
They took part in the Book Drag Kings project produced by Long Live Kingsized. Photographer JesseRAY McEachern shared some of the images with Global News.
Richard Le, 47, Linh Hoang, 30 and Katie Le, five, all members of the same family, were killed in the tragedy.
Andy Le is the only survivor of the family as the 16-year-old decided to stay home to finish his homework instead of attending the festival, according to a verified GoFundMe for the family.
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“The horrific nature of this crime against the Le family and other victims serves as a painful reminder that, as a society, we must do better. We hope you cherish your loved ones every single day, as Andy and many others no longer have that chance,” the GoFundMe states.
Maria Victoria (Vicky) Bjarnason was visiting her sons in Vancouver from the Philippines when she was killed at the Lapu Lapu festival.
Helgi Bjarnason, 27, was with his mother and one of his friends when tragedy struck.
“Helgi was holding his mother’s hand and attempted to pull her away from the car, but unfortunately she was ripped away from him and tragically killed,” the GoFundMe states.
“Helgi was also hit by the car and sustained injuries including a broken leg, for which he was rushed to hospital for surgery. Helgi’s friend was also hit by the car and tragically killed.”
Vicky loved her sons more than the world. They had just celebrated Helgi’s birthday the night before the tragic incident. Vicky was scheduled to fly back to the Philippines just days later on April 29.
Helgi and his brother wish to take their mother back home to the Philippines for a proper memorial service where she can lay to rest surrounded by her family.
Jendhel May Sico was killed in the tragedy.
“Jendhel was kind-hearted with a beautiful soul,” the GoFundMe states. “She lived her life to the fullest. She always had a smile on her face and everyone that knows her would agree that she brought positivity to everyone she met.
“Our family is asking for your kindness and help at this time of grievance so we may honour Jendhel the proper celebration of life she deserves.”
All proceeds will go towards her wake and funeral services.
Jen Darbellay was also killed in the tragic incident.
Her husband, Noel Johansen, spoke at a vigil for the victims on Monday night, while on crutches as he was also injured by the SUV.
According to the GoFundMe, Noel and Jen had two children, ages 15 and 7.
“Jen was a one-of-a-kind,” the GoFundMe reads.
“She was an incredibly thoughtful, warm, caring, smart, stylish, artistic woman. A gifted painter, a selfless mother, and a loving wife. She gave the best hugs, was always there to listen without judgment, and had the sweetest voice.”
Val De La Cruz and his son Jeb were injured in the incident on Saturday night.
According to a verified GoFundMe, Val and Jeb, who is almost two years old, are both fighting for their lives in hospital.
“Val is a devoted and loving father, whose world revolves around his son,” the GoFundMe states. “His bond with Jeb is unbreakable — he cherishes every moment spent with his little boy.
“Jeb is a sweet, easygoing, and remarkably intelligent baby, always eager to explore and learn new things. His bright curiosity and gentle nature light up the lives of everyone around him.”
Val is the sole provider for his family and he and his wife also have a five-month-old daughter.
Saadiq was at the festival with a friend when he was lining up to buy food at a food truck and was struck by the SUV.
According to the GoFundMe, he is suffering from a displaced fractured hip, collapsed lung, huge knee and head gash, and some internal bleeding.
Proceeds will cover accommodation, food, family flying in to help, medical, physiotherapy, and any other bills.
Christi Watkins and her 11-year-old son, Nox, were both hit and injured at the festival.
According to the GoFundMe, they were both hit and injured at the festival. They are both still in hospital and stable, but Christi does have a significant amount of injuries including two fractured vertebrae, broken ribs, a punctured lung and kidney damage.
Roland Nulada was with his family at the festival when he was struck by the SUV.
The GoFundMe states that Roland suffered injuries, including a broken leg, broken arm, internal bleeding, and is currently undergoing extensive testing and treatment in the hospital.
He is the major provider for his family and is currently unable to work for a few months.
Adrian (AJ) Sico, was severely injured in the attack and is in critical condition in hospital.
According to a verified GoFundMe, AJ broke both of his legs in multiple places.
One thigh was completely shattered, requiring extensive surgeries with titanium rods and disks. He is also suffering from a lacerated liver, internal bleeding near his aorta artery, brain swelling, trauma to his left eye, and is currently on dialysis.
His friends and family say his brain is showing responses to testing, his vitals are stable and his heart is strong.
Every dollar raised will go directly towards AJ’s care, rehabilitation, and supporting his family as they navigate the long journey ahead.
Josh Candy was seriously injured in the incident. He teaches dance at Thrive Dance Studio in Langley and acted as assistant director and choreographer for performances at the festival.
According to the GoFundMe, Josh’s journey ahead “will involve extensive medical treatment, rehabilitation, and time away from doing what he loves most — teaching, dancing, and inspiring others. With a career as a dance teacher, professional dancer and choreographer we can all understand the impact that this will have on Josh’s life. He is currently hospitalized until further notice.”
All donations from this campaign will be deposited directly into an account managed by Thrive Dance Studio and will be used solely to support Josh’s medical expenses, rehabilitation, and living costs during his recovery.
Jose Mari Solis was critically injured in the incident.
According to the verified GoFundMe, Solis was found unconscious under a car by first responders. He was rushed to Vancouver General Hospital, where doctors discovered:
* Multiple bleeds in his brain
* Severe brain swelling
* A cranial fracture
* A broken ankle
“He has been intubated and fully sedated since his arrival,” the GoFundMe states. “Though his vitals are stable, his condition remains critical. Neurological checks are performed every two hours, and while he shows minimal movement in all four limbs, his only communication is through faint grunts.”
His children have seen him but the road to recovery is a long and difficult one for their family.
Nourishing Vancouver, a community program that provides meals to those in need says it has committed to providing meals to the Filipino community in the wake of the Lapu Lapu tragedy.
The organization turns surplus food into healthy meals for non-profits across the city.
They are looking for donations to keep the program going and feed those in need.
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