At least 11 people were killed and 20 were injured when a man drove into a crowd during a block party celebrating Filipino culture in Vancouver, Canada.
The tragedy unfolded Saturday night after the vehicle entered the street at 8:14 p.m. and struck people attending the Lapu Lapu Day festival, the Vancouver Police Department said on X. A damaged black SUV, believed to be the vehicle involved, was seen stationary in the middle of the roadway after colliding with food trucks set up for the pedestrian-only event, which just moments earlier had been filled with lively celebrations. Vancouver police confirmed that attendees of the annual Lapu-Lapu Day block party apprehended the suspect before handing him over to officers.
In an update posted Sunday, police confirmed the death toll had reached nine. “Our hearts go out to everyone impacted by this heartbreaking event,” the department wrote, adding that they had the suspect in custody: “a 30-year-old suspect, a Vancouver man, was arrested at the scene. At this time, we are confident that this incident was not an act of terrorism.” Interim Police Chief Steve Rai added that an extensive investigation was now underway to uncover the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim said in a statement: “I am shocked and deeply saddened by the horrific events at today’s Lapu Lapu Day celebration. Our thoughts are with everyone impacted and with Vancouver’s Filipino community during this extremely difficult time.”
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney shared on X: “I am devastated to hear about the horrific events at the Lapu Lapu festival in Vancouver earlier this evening. I offer my deepest condolences to the loved ones of those killed and injured, to the Filipino Canadian community, and to everyone in Vancouver. We are all mourning with you. We are monitoring the situation closely, and thankful to our first responders for their swift action.”
Carney later addressed the nation on Sunday, calling the tragedy “every family’s worst nightmare” and praised the strength and resilience of Filipino-Canadians, citing a Tagalog word reflecting the Filipino tradition of community and unity, emphasizing the need for solidarity during this sorrowful time: “We will stand together, comfort those who grieve, and support one another.”
British Columbia officially recognized April 27 as Lapu-Lapu Day in 2023 to commemorate the Battle of Mactan, fought in what is now the Philippines in 1521. Lapu-Lapu, an Indigenous leader, is remembered for resisting Spanish colonization and defeating Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan. Today, Lapu-Lapu stands as a symbol of anti-colonial resistance, celebrated both in the Philippines and among Filipino communities worldwide.
Editorial credit: Margarita Young / Shutterstock.com
