On Saturday night (April 26), just past 8 pm, a man driving a black Audi SUV plowed into a crowd participating in the celebration of Lapu Lapu Day, a Filipino cultural festival, on a street in Vancouver, Canada. One Vancouver man has been arrested.
According to Vancouver police, the incident has resulted in 11 deaths and dozens of injuries, with some being severe. The suspect is reported to have mental health issues, and authorities have ruled out the possibility of a terrorist attack.
The incident occurred on the eve of the federal election, shocking the entire nation.
Acting Chief Steve Rai of the Vancouver Police Department stated at a press conference, “This is the darkest day in Vancouver’s history.”
Regarding the suspect, he mentioned, “The individual we have in custody does have a record of multiple interactions with law enforcement and healthcare professionals regarding mental health issues.”
Footage captured after the incident showed bodies of victims and injured individuals lying on both sides of a food truck on a street in South Vancouver. The front side of the SUV driven by the suspect was severely damaged.
Witnesses reported that the vehicle slowly passed through barriers before suddenly accelerating and plowing into the crowd. The sound of the acceleration was likened to a Formula 1 race car about to start, with bodies being thrown higher than the food truck upon impact, resembling bowling pins being knocked into the air, amidst screams from onlookers.
Rai reported that a 30-year-old Vancouver man was arrested by the police after being restrained by bystanders.
In a video circulating on social media, a young man in a black hoodie was seen leaning against a wire fence, with a security guard standing beside him as onlookers shouted angrily at him. The man was seen covering his head with his hands, saying “I’m sorry.”
Despite the upcoming elections on Monday, Prime Minister Mark Carney canceled the first campaign event scheduled for Sunday. He expressed, “Last night, some families lost sisters, brothers, mothers, fathers, sons, or daughters. The nightmare they are going through is every family’s nightmare, and my deepest condolences go out to them, as well as to the injured, the Filipino-Canadian community, and everyone in Vancouver.”
Vancouver Mayor Kenneth Sim posted on social media, saying, “I am shocked and deeply saddened by the horrifying events that took place during the Lapu Lapu Day celebration today. Our thoughts are with all those affected and the Filipino community in Vancouver as we come together during this extremely difficult time.”
British Columbia Premier David Eby stated that Canadians will not let the tragedy define the celebration, emphasizing that it is a community centered around love, family, and unity, particularly highlighting the beauty of the Filipino community.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. issued a statement extending condolences to the victims and their families. He stated, “The Philippine Consulate General in Vancouver is working with Canadian authorities to ensure a thorough investigation of the incident and to provide support and condolences to the victims and their families.”
According to data from Statistics Canada, in 2021, Vancouver had over 38,600 residents of Filipino descent, making up 5.9% of the city’s total population.
Lapu Lapu Day commemorates Datu Lapu-Lapu, a native chieftain who resisted Spanish invaders during the 16th century colonization of the Philippines. This year marks the second time the event has been held. Organizers of the event express that Lapu-Lapu embodies the soul of indigenous resistance and represents a formidable force that has shaped the Filipino national identity in the face of colonial rule.
(Reference: Associated Press)