Police have confirmed that there are now 11 deaths in the Vancouver car-ramming attack at a Filipino street festival. In a press conference on Sunday, Vancouver police said those injured were transported by ambulance to nine different hospitals through metro Vancouver.
Police said the suspect, who is in custody, has a “significant history of interactions with police and healthcare professionals related to mental health”. They also believe that the evidence currently at hand “does not lead us to believe this was an act of terrorism.” Charges have yet to be filed.
Canadian prime minister Mark Carney said he, along with the rest of the country, was “shocked, devasted and heartbroken” to hear of the news of the deadly incident.
Mr Carney said the strength and resilience of the Filipino community is highlighted by the term bayanihan, a tradition of helping out your neighbour in a spirit of civic mindedness. “We will comfort the grieving, we will care for each other, we will unite in common purpose,” he said.
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Former Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau has also expressed his condolences over the attack, saying on X: My heart goes out to the loved ones of all the victims of the tragic attack at the Lapu Lapu Festival in Vancouver. I join all Canadians in standing with the Filipino community at this difficult time."
The incident took place at East 41st Avenue and Fraser Street shortly after 8pm local time, as members of the Filipino community gathered to celebrate Lapu Lapu Day, a festival put on by British Columbia’s Filipino community that commemorates a Filipino anti-colonial leader from the 16th century.
Acting police chief Steve Rai said the suspect from Vancouver was “known to police in certain circumstances”, adding that the suspect was “taken into custody by people in the crowd” before police arrived at the scene.
The Lapu Lapu Day celebration underwent a “robust security assessment” before it was allowed to be put on.
The centrepiece of the Lapu Lapu Day festivities in Vancouver is a multi-block street party in the Sunset neighbourhood featuring Filipino food and traditions, live performances and cultural displays.
The party on Saturday was just starting to break up but many people were still in the streets when the dark SUV rammed into the crowd.
In a tweet, Vancouver police said: “At this time, we are confident that this incident was not an act of terrorism.”
James Cruzat, a Vancouver business owner, was at the event and heard a car rev its engine and then “a loud noise, like a loud bang” that he initially thought might be a gunshot.
“We saw people on the road crying, others were like running, shouting, or even screaming, asking for help,” he said.
“We tried to go there just to check what was really actually happening until we found some bodies on the ground. Others were lifeless, others injured.
“It was terrible to see that kind of incident, that situation. It was heartbreaking.”
Another witness told CTV News he saw a black vehicle driving erratically in the area of the festival just before the crowd was struck.
Festival security guard Jen Idaba-Castaneto told a local news site that she saw “bodies everywhere”, adding: “You don’t know who to help, here or there.”
Video posted on social media showed victims and debris strewn across a long stretch of road, with at least seven people lying immobile on the ground.
A black SUV with a crumpled front section could be seen in still photos from the scene.
The Vancouver Sun said thousands of people had been in the area.
Canadian prime minister Mark Carney said he, along with the rest of the country, he was “shocked, devasted and heartbroken” to hear of the news of the deadly incident.
Mr Carney said the strength and resilience of the Filipino community is highlighted by the term bayanihan, a tradition of helping out your neighbour in a spirit of civic mindedness. “We will comfort the grieving, we will care for each other, we will unite in common purpose,“ he said.
Former Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau has also expressed his condolences over the attack, saying on X: My heart goes out to the loved ones of all the victims of the tragic attack at the Lapu Lapu Festival in Vancouver. I join all Canadians in standing with the Filipino community at this difficult time."
Vancouver mayor Ken Sim said: “I am shocked and deeply saddened by the horrific incident at today’s Lapu Lapu Day event.”
Jagmeet Singh, leader of the New Democratic Party who was at the festival earlier in the day, said: “As we wait to learn more, our thoughts are with the victims and their families – and Vancouver’s Filipino community, who were coming together today to celebrate resilience.”
Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre said: “My thoughts are with the Filipino community and all the victims targeted by this senseless attack. Thank-you to the first responders who are at the scene as we wait to hear more.”
David Eby, the premier of British Columbia, the province where Vancouver is located, said he was shocked and heartbroken. “We are in contact with the City of Vancouver and will provide any support needed,” he added. – Agencies
