On a sunny spring day in Vancouver, British Columbia, the vibrant aromas of crispy lumpia, caramelized plantains, and other beloved Filipino street foods filled the air as festival-goers emerged from a concert. The atmosphere was lively, with long lines forming at food trucks as the sun began to set. However, the festivities took a horrific turn when a driver accelerated into the crowd, resulting in a devastating incident that left 11 people dead and many others injured at the Lapu Lapu Day festival on Saturday night.
As the chaos unfolded, clothing vendor Kris Pangilinan described the horrifying moment, recalling the sound that “sounded like an F1 car about to start a race,” immediately followed by screams. “All I can remember is seeing bodies flying up in the air higher than the food trucks themselves,” he recounted, emphasizing the sheer terror of the scene. “It looked like a bowling ball hitting bowling pins.”
Adonis Quita, who was present with his 9-year-old son, managed to pull his child to safety just moments before the SUV barreled into the line of families waiting for food. This festival, a celebration of British Columbia's substantial Filipino population, was meant to be a joyous occasion for the young boy, who had recently moved to Vancouver from the Philippines. Instead, he now faces nightmares filled with images of the tragedy.
A 30-year-old man, identified as Kai-Ji Adam Lo, was arrested at the scene after being restrained by bystanders. The British Columbia Prosecution Service subsequently charged him with eight counts of second-degree murder, with the possibility of additional charges as the investigation progresses. Authorities have ruled out terrorism, with Interim Police Chief Steve Rai calling this event “the darkest day in Vancouver’s history.” The suspect reportedly has a “significant history of mental health issues,” according to Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim.
The victims of this tragic incident ranged in age from 5 to 65 years old. In the aftermath, bodies were covered with white tarps near the food trucks as ambulances rushed to transport the injured to local hospitals. Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed his condolences, stating, “Those families are living every family’s nightmare.” The tragedy unfolded only two days before Canada’s federal election, adding to the somber atmosphere.
In the early hours of Sunday morning, Carayn Nulada found herself in the emergency room at Vancouver General Hospital, desperately seeking news about her brother who had sustained serious injuries during the attack. He was identified through his wedding ring, which was presented to the family in a pill bottle. Thankfully, he was stable but required multiple surgeries. Nulada heroically shielded her grandchildren from the speeding vehicle, but her daughter was struck and injured.
The community gathered in droves to pay their respects at a vigil held on Sunday evening, with hundreds attending to honor the victims. Emily Daniels, 41, laid a bouquet at the memorial after witnessing the aftermath at the hospital. She noted the graphic injuries of one victim being wheeled into the ICU, still covered in blood. This tragedy has left an indelible mark on those who were present.
The emotional toll on attendees is profound. Mohamad Sariman, who was helping out at his wife’s food truck, initially mistook the chaos for an explosion. Upon looking outside, he was confronted with a disfigured body on the ground, a scene that he described as “really, really traumatic.” Vincent Reynon, 17, recalled seeing emergency responders rushing toward the festival, only to be met with the sight of crying people and lifeless bodies on the ground. “It was like something straight out of a horror movie,” he lamented.
This year’s Lapu Lapu Day festival was meant to celebrate Datu Lapu-Lapu, an Indigenous chieftain who resisted Spanish colonization in the Philippines. The event, which symbolizes resilience and cultural pride, has turned into a moment of collective grief for Vancouver's Filipino community. Community members gathered at the Filipino Fellowship Baptist Church to mourn the victims and pray for the injured. Nathaly Nairn, who attended the festival with her daughter, expressed her heartbreak over the tragedy, stating, “It hurts, it really hurts to see that someone could do this to a community of mine that’s known to be so kind and caring.”
This devastating incident serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of community support in times of tragedy.
