The suspect in the Lapu Lapu festival tragedy in Vancouver was under the care of a mental health team at the time.
The Ministry of Health confirmed on Tuesday that 30-year-old Kai-Ji Adam Lo was under the care of Vancouver Coastal Health’s (VCH) mental health team and was being supervised under the Mental Health Act.
“The individual was being followed closely by his care team,” the Ministry of Health stated in an update.
“VCH will continue to review the file, but at this time, the best known information at VCH is that there was no indication of violence in this individual’s presentation to the VCH team.”
The ministry said that to the care team’s knowledge, there was “no recent change” in Lo’s condition or non-compliance with his treatment plan that would have warranted him needing to be hospitalized involuntarily.
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. The festival was being held to celebrate Filipino heritage and culture.
The victims of the tragedy range in age from five to 65 years old. Here is what we know so far.
On Tuesday afternoon, Vancouver police Sgt. Steve Addison said the number of people recovering in hospital remains the same. He said seven people remain in critical condition, ranging in age from 29 to 66. Five of them are men and two are women.
In addition, three people remain in serious condition, all men, ranging from 22 months to 60 years old.
“We are working to confirm the nationalities of all victims,” Addison said.
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He added that investigators have identified more than 200 witnesses. He said they have received 43 tips and there have been 51 uploads to the evidence portal on the Vancouver police website.
Addison also said that the crime scene will be dismantled on Wednesday and personal property is expected to be returned at that time.
The area around the crime scene remains closed until at least Wednesday.
Politicians and city officials are calling on B.C. Premier David Eby to make the changes necessary to get help for those who need it.
“When will he take the necessary action that we can accomplish in this house to make sure that people can be taken off of our streets and given the care they need before these tragic events occur again?” Conservative MLA Trevor Halford said.
Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim said Eby previously committed to 400 involuntary care beds but right now only 10 have been opened.
“No judgment whatsoever, but we need to have more beds and we need to get them on-stream as quickly as possible,” he said.
Eby said he’ll launch an independent commission into event security, and would order a public inquiry if a criminal trial doesn’t provide sufficient answers. He acknowledged the urgent need for more mental health supports, but also pushed back.
“There’s actually 2,000 beds available for involuntary care for people who are struggling with mental health,” Eby said.
“We have a Mental Health Act that allows us to involuntary detain people. It allows compelled treatment.”
On Monday, Global News learned that a search warrant was executed on Sunday night at Lo’s East Vancouver home.
Approximately a dozen officers arrived at the residence just before 7:30 p.m.
Most entered the house, some armed with boxes. One officer could be seen taking photos of the exterior of the residence. It’s unclear exactly what was removed from the home, however, police sources have told Global News they were searching for electronics, such as computers, tablets and phones.
Addison also confirmed on Monday that Lo did have contact with the police in a neighbouring jurisdiction on April 25, the day before the vehicle attack.
“That contact was not criminal in nature and it did not rise to the level where mental health intervention was required,” Addison said.
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