Vancouver Festival Tragedy: 11 Killed in Car Ramming Attack

On April 26, 2025, a horrific incident unfolded at the Lapu Lapu Day Block Party, a vibrant Filipino heritage festival in Vancouver, Canada. Around 8 p.m. PT, a black SUV driven by 30-year-old local resident Kai-Ji Adam Lo plowed into a crowd, killing at least 11 people, ranging in age from 5 to 65, and injuring dozens. The festival, which drew up to 100,000 attendees to celebrate Filipino-Canadian culture with food, music, and performances, was a cherished community event officially recognized by British Columbia since 2023.

Lo was apprehended at the scene by bystanders, with social media footage showing him detained and apologizing. He faces eight counts of second-degree murder, as announced by the BC Prosecution Service on April 27. Authorities note Lo's prior mental health-related interactions but have ruled out terrorism as a motive, with investigations ongoing to uncover the reasons behind the attack. Interim Vancouver Police Chief Steve Rai called it the city’s “darkest day,” a sentiment echoed by Prime Minister Mark Carney, who labeled it a “car-ramming attack.”

The tragedy has left the Filipino-Canadian community, which makes up 5.9% of Vancouver’s population, in profound grief. It has sparked national discussions on public safety at large gatherings and mental health support. Community leaders and federal officials have offered condolences, emphasizing resilience and justice.