Car plowing after Vancouver Philippino Heritage Street Festival and kills at least 11 years old; Terrorism is excluded, the police say, the police say

The police in Canada said they excluded terrorism as a motivator after a man had driven into a crowd on Saturday evening at a Filipino cultural foundation in Vancouver, killed 11 people and injured dozens of others.

Steve Rai, boss of interims of Vancouver, announced on Sunday afternoon of a press conference that the suspect has mental problems in the past in connection with the incident at the Lapu Lapu Day Festival.

“Although I am not ready to talk about the potential motive, I can now say with confidence that the evidence in this case does not believe that this was an act of terrorism,” he said. “I can also tell you that the person we have in custody has a significant story of interactions with police and health professions in connection with mental health.”

Rai, who said that they expect the number of dead to increase in the coming days or weeks, described the incident as “senseless, heartbreaking act of violence”.

“This is the darkest day in the history of our city,” he said.

A man in Vancouver, who was identified as a 30-year-old Kai-Ji Adam Lo, was arrested after a vehicle was entered on the street at 8:14 p.m. and met the people who took part in the festival, the police said in Vancouver. At an earlier press conference, Rai said that the suspect was arrested after he was originally arrested by bypasses.

Lo was charged with eight murder's second degree, the police said on Sunday and added that “further charges are expected”.

Video on social media shows a young man in a black hoodie with his back against a chain connection fence next to a security guard and surrounded by spectators who scream and swear.

“I'm sorry,” says the man, holding his hand on his head.

The festival took place in a quarter in South Vancouver. Videos published on social media showed victims and debris who were scattered over a long path of the street and are immobile on site. A black SUV with a crumpled front section could be seen in still photos from the scene.

James Cruzat, a business owner in Vancouver, was at the event and heard a car that his engine and then “a loud sound, like a loud bang”, of which he initially believed to be a shot.

“We saw people crying on the street, others wanted to run, scream or even scream and asked for help. So we tried to go there to check what really happened until we found some bodies on site. Others were lifeless, others like, they know,” said Cruzat.

“It was terrible to see this kind of incident to see this situation. It was heartbreaking,” said Cruzat. “I couldn't even imagine that it actually happens in real life, because we usually see it on TV or films. But if you are in this kind of situation, it was really shocking. … You could do nothing than pray for you.”

Kenneth Sim, Mayor of Vancouver, said in a social media contribution that the city would provide further information if possible.

“I am shocked and deeply sad about the terrible incident in today's Lapu -Lapu Day,” said Sim. “Our thoughts are with all those affected and with the Filipino community of Vancouver in this incredibly difficult time.”

Lapu Lapu Day Festival

According to Statistics Canada, Vancouver had more than 38,600 inhabitants of the Filipino heritage in 2021 in 2021, which corresponds to 5.9% of the city's total population, the agency that carries out the national census.

Lapu Lapu Day celebrates Datu Lapu-Lapu, an indigenous chief who came up with the Spanish explorers who came to the Philippines in the 16th century. The organizers of the Vancouver event said that he “represented the soul of the local resistance, a mighty force that the Filipino identity designs in view of the colonization”.

Prime Minister Mark Carney and other Canadian political personalities published the shock of the violence, condolences for the victims and the support of the community to celebrate their inheritance at the festival.

“I offer the relatives of the killed and injured, the Filipino Canadian community and everyone in Vancouver my deepest condolences. We all mourn with them,” wrote Carney.

“When we wait to learn more, our thoughts with the victims and their families – and the Filipino community of Vancouver, who came together today to celebrate resilience,” wrote Jagmeet Singh, head of the New Democratic Party, which was previously at the festival.

“My thoughts are at the Filipino Community and all victims who aim with this senseless attack. Many thanks to the first aiders who are at the scene when we wait to hear more,” wrote Pierre Poilievre, the conservative party leader.

David Eby, the Prime Minister of British Columbia, the province in which Vancouver is located, said that he was shocked and broken heart. “We are in contact with the city of Vancouver and will offer all the support required,” wrote Eby.