Kai-Ji Adam Lo is facing murder charges after the fatal vehicle attack during the Lapu Lapu Day celebration.
Authorities report that the number of fatalities from Saturday’s car-ramming incident at a Filipino festival in Vancouver has increased to 11.
Kai-Ji Adam Lo, 30, is charged with eight counts of second-degree murder, and further charges are anticipated as the investigation proceeds.
The event unfolded at approximately 8:14 p.m. near the intersection of East 41st Avenue and Fraser Street, as the Lapu Lapu festival was drawing to a close and barricades were being taken down.
Eyewitness accounts describe a black SUV accelerating into the crowd, resulting in numerous injuries and deaths. Onlookers apprehended the suspect before law enforcement arrived.
According to interim police chief Howard Rai, the victims’ ages ranged from five to 65. The provincial Ministry of Health confirmed that thirty-two individuals received treatment at hospitals throughout the Lower Mainland; 17 remain hospitalized, with some in critical condition.
Lo, a Vancouver resident, is said to have a documented history of mental health challenges. The Vancouver Sun reports that his family contacted a hospital psychiatric unit seeking assistance for him mere hours before the attack. He was believed to be experiencing delusions and paranoia. Police have stated that the incident is not being treated as terrorism.
Last year, Lo’s brother, Alexander, was murdered in Vancouver. Following his brother’s death, Lo documented his grief and his mother’s suicide attempt on a fundraising page.
The suspect made a court appearance on Sunday, did not request release on bail, and remains in custody. His subsequent court appearance is scheduled for May 26.
Law enforcement has set up a 24-hour support center at Douglas Park Community Centre for the families of the deceased and injured.
The Lapu Lapu Day festival commemorates a Filipino hero who resisted Spanish colonization. The festival organizers stated that the Filipino community would demonstrate “true resilience” in the wake of the tragedy.