The victims are ranged from five to 65 years old. "Dozens more are injured, some critically, and some have not yet been identified,” Vancouver Police interim chief Steve Rai told the media on Sunday
Visitors pay their respects at a memorial after a vehicle drove into a crowd during a Filipino heritage festival in Vancouver, British Columbia, on Sunday. Pic/PTI
The 30-year-old man who drove into a crowd at a Filipino heritage street festival in Vancouver, Canada, on Saturday night, killing 11 people and injuring dozens more, has been charged with eight counts of second-degree murder, with additional charges expected to follow, news agency ANI reported.
The victims are ranged from five to 65 years old. "Dozens more are injured, some critically, and some have not yet been identified,” Vancouver Police interim chief Steve Rai told the media on Sunday.
The attendees of the Lapu Lapu festival assisted in pursuing and restraining the suspect, who has been identified by police as Kai-Ji Adam Lo. The police said he has a documented history of mental health-related encounters with authorities.
Rai said the suspect was thought to have operated alone, confirming there was "one suspect, one vehicle".
Meanwhile, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has expressed his condolences and said he spoke with Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim following the attack and assured the city and the Filipino-Canadian community that the federal government stands ready to assist, reported ANI.
Sharing a post on X, Carney wrote, "I spoke with Mayor Sim this afternoon following the attack at last night's Lapu Lapu festival. I offered my condolences and the federal government's full support."
He added, "We will be there for the people of Vancouver and the Filipino-Canadian community as you heal from this tragedy."
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has also expressed condolences to the people of Canada over the incident.
"Heartbreaking tragedy at Vancouver's Filipino festival, where a man drove a car into the crowd, killing and injuring innocent people. On this sad day, Ukrainians deeply share the pain of Canadians, Vancouver residents, and the Canadian Filipino community," Zelenskyy wrote on X on Sunday.
The event, which was held on Saturday, marked a celebration of culture and diversity. The Lapu Lapu Day is an annual festival organised by British Columbia's Filipino community to commemorate an indigenous leader who fought against Spanish colonisation.
Food trucks lined up the street as performers broke out in traditional Filipino dance in the spring sunshine on Saturday. However, the family-friendly event ended in horror, with a witness describing the venue as a "war zone".
(With ANI inputs)
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
