Car plows through Vancouver Filipino festival, killing at least 11

Canadian authorities have charged a 30-year-old Vancouver man, Kai-Ji Adam Lo, with eight counts of second-degree murder after he drove an SUV into a crowd at a Filipino community festival, killing at least 11 people and injuring dozens more. The tragic incident unfolded Saturday evening in Vancouver's Sunset neighborhood, where the Lapu-Lapu Day Block Party was taking place. The death toll may still rise, as several of the injured remain in critical condition.

Lo, who has a known history of mental health issues, was arrested at the scene after bystanders chased him down and detained him until police arrived. Investigators have so far found no evidence of terrorism or a specific motive, and more charges are expected as the investigation progresses.

“This is the darkest day in our city’s history,” said Vancouver Interim Police Chief Steve Rai. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and British Columbia Premier David Eby both expressed grief and solidarity with the victims’ families and the broader Filipino community. “We are in incredible pain,” said Mable Elmore, a Filipino-Canadian lawmaker who attended the event.

The attack came just after a concert featuring Filipino-American rapper Apl.de.ap, and witnesses described scenes of chaos and horror, with bodies strewn across the road and food trucks. The SUV—a black Audi—left a trail of destruction before being stopped.

This mass casualty event is among the deadliest in Canada in recent years and has prompted questions about festival security, as the event lacked a police presence or vehicle barriers. Authorities are continuing their investigation while providing support to victims and their families.