The Filipino community in Vancouver is reeling from shock and grief after a tragic car ramming incident during the annual Lapu Lapu festival took place on Saturday evening, resulting in the deaths of 11 individuals and injuring dozens more. The annual celebration of Filipino culture turned from a joyous occasion into a scene of chaos and mourning when a 30-year-old suspect, known to have a history of mental health issues, drove his vehicle into the crowd.
The organizer of the event expressed their profound sorrow, stating that the impact of this tragedy would resonate within the community for years to come. While authorities are still investigating, they have indicated that they do not believe this act was a terrorism-related incident.
The horrific event occurred around 8:14 PM local time (03:14 GMT) at the intersection of East 43rd Avenue and Fraser Street, where the festival attracted thousands of local residents. In the aftermath on Sunday, people flocked to the scene to honor the victims, leaving flowers and heartfelt messages.
Local resident Donna, who attended the festival with families and young people celebrating their heritage, voiced her anguish, reflecting, “People were here to celebrate and have fun. This is tragic.”
During a press conference, RJ Aquino, a leader in the Filipino community, described the emotional turmoil experienced following the event, mentioning the high volume of family members reaching out for reassurance. “There was a lot of panic, and you know, relief, when somebody answers,” he shared.
Acting Vancouver police chief Steve Rai described the event as the "darkest day" in the city's history and noted that the death toll could rise as many victims sustained severe injuries. Although the police have detained the suspect, who remains unnamed pending formal charges, they indicated that they have ruled out any motives linked to terrorism.
Vancouver has a substantial Filipino population, with over 140,000 citizens of Filipino descent, who annually commemorate the historical figure Lapu-Lapu, who famously resisted Spanish colonization in the 16th century.
Despite police conducting a threat assessment prior to the festival, no indications of heightened risk were observed. Following the incident, Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed his heartbreak and chose to cancel large election events, while others continued their campaigns, underscoring the profound impact of this tragedy on community and politics.
In a moment of reflection, New Democratic Party leader Jagmeet Singh, who attended the festival, conveyed his sorrow over the loss of life, observing, “It’s heart-breaking to see that such joy can be torn apart so violently.” This tragic event has raised critical questions about public safety at cultural gatherings and the systemic support for mental health issues within communities.
