The Tragedy at Vancouver’s Lapu Lapu Day Festival: A Community in Shock

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — What was meant to be a joyful celebration of Filipino culture turned into a devastating tragedy on Saturday night. As the sun set over the Vancouver streets, the smell of sizzling lumpia and caramelized plantains filled the air at the Lapu Lapu Day festival, drawing crowds eager to savor the flavors of home. But in a split second, the atmosphere shifted from festive to chaotic as a black Audi SUV crashed into the crowd, killing at least 11 people and injuring many others. The shockwaves of the incident continue to ripple through the community.

For Kris Pangilinan, a local clothing vendor, the horror began with the unmistakable sound of an engine revving. “It sounded like an F1 car,” he said, followed by screams that still haunt him. In an instant, the car plowed through the crowd, sending bodies flying into the air. “I’ll never forget the sight of people being thrown higher than the food trucks themselves,” Pangilinan added. The deadly crash happened as people lined up for food trucks in the warm spring evening.

Adonis Quita, a father at the festival with his young son, reacted swiftly, pulling his child away from the oncoming vehicle. The boy, who had just moved to Vancouver from the Philippines, had been excited to experience Filipino culture at the event. Now, his memories of the festival are clouded by the trauma of the crash, with his father sharing that his son struggles to sleep without seeing vivid flashbacks of the chaos.

Authorities quickly arrested 30-year-old Kai-Ji Adam Lo at the scene after bystanders helped detain him. Lo has been charged with eight counts of second-degree murder, with more charges possible. Vancouver’s Interim Police Chief Steve Rai called it “the darkest day in Vancouver’s history,” while Mayor Ken Sim revealed that the suspect had a significant history of mental health struggles.

Though police ruled out terrorism, the city remains in shock. For the survivors, many are still coming to terms with the aftermath. “Those families are living every family’s nightmare,” said Prime Minister Mark Carney, as the tragedy occurred just days before Canada’s federal election.

The impact of the attack is still being felt. Carayn Nulada rushed to Vancouver General Hospital early Sunday morning, desperately seeking information about her brother, who was seriously injured in the attack. He had broken multiple bones, but doctors could only identify him through his wedding ring, placed in a pill bottle. Thankfully, he was stable, though he would need multiple surgeries.

For others, the wounds of the attack are still raw. Emily Daniels, who attended a vigil for the victims, shared the haunting experience of seeing an injured man being wheeled into intensive care with blood still on his arms. “I couldn’t believe it,” Daniels said. “It’s something I’ll never forget.”

Several festivalgoers struggled to comprehend what had unfolded before their eyes. Mohamad Sariman, who was helping at his wife’s food truck, initially thought he heard an explosion. But when he looked outside, the scene was far worse than he could have imagined. “It was really traumatic,” he said, describing seeing disfigured bodies on the ground.

For others, the impact of the crash was immediate and overwhelming. Vincent Reynon, 17, was leaving the festival with his girlfriend when they saw fire trucks and police rushing toward the scene. What followed was a nightmare: people crying, bodies scattered on the ground. “It was like something out of a horror movie,” Reynon said.

Lorena Sales, also 17, was walking from the bus stop when she saw ambulances racing to the scene. She and her friends rushed back to the festival, only to find a sea of bodies in the street. The image of a woman struck in the collision still haunts her. “It was something I’ll never forget,” she said.

The Filipino community in Vancouver had gathered to honor the legacy of Datu Lapu-Lapu, a 16th-century hero known for his resistance against Spanish colonizers. But what should have been a celebration turned into a scene of unimaginable loss.

At Vancouver’s Filipino Fellowship Baptist Church, hundreds gathered on Sunday to mourn the victims. Flowers and candles were placed at a vigil later that evening. “It hurts to see that something like this could happen to our community, which is known for being kind and caring,” said Lorena Sales through tears.

Nathaly Nairn, who had attended the festival with her daughter, also came to the vigil to show support. After being escorted through the crime scene by police, she shared her disbelief at seeing the aftermath: a bloodied SUV and bodies scattered across the street. “We’re here to support the Filipino community,” Nairn said, wiping away her tears. “They’ve been there for us, and now we want to be there for them.”

As Vancouver grapples with the shock of this horrific incident, the community is coming together, mourning the victims, supporting the injured, and vowing to honor the lives lost in the tragedy.