Suspect in deadly Vancouver Lapu Lapu Day makes court appearance

The man accused of killing 11 people and injuring dozens more by driving an SUV into a crowded Vancouver street festival made a brief court appearance on Friday.

Kai Ji Adam Lo is charged with eight counts of second-degree murder in the tragedy that struck the Lapu Lapu Day street festival on April 26.

Lo appeared by video link from hospital, and his appearance was drastically different than at the time of his arrest. Dressed in black, he sat quietly during the proceedings.

Provincial Court Judge Reg Harris confirmed he had received and read a mental health assessment.

1:26 Lapu Lapu Day suspect makes court appearance in Vancouver

Harris ruled that a fitness for trial hearing will proceed later this year. Lo is due back in court in June to schedule the next steps around that hearing.

“Our Presumption is that people are fit,” said lawyer Ian Donaldson, K.C., who is not involved with the case.

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“The test for fitness is pretty low. If you are not fit to stand trial, we say well,l there can’t be a trial because you can’t participate, you’re not part of it, you don’t know what’s going on for one reason or another.”

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Advocacy group Filipino BC has called the incident a “social disaster” and said victims and their families are still navigating the “emotional aftermath.”

“Healing does not follow a straight line. It takes time, care, and community,” the group said in a statement. “And for many, this past month has been a heavy one.”

Earlier this week, members of Parliament held a moment of silence to mark the one-month anniversary of the tragedy.

Multiple fundraisers across Canada have raised more than $1 million for victims of the attack.