Vancouver man charged with murder for attack on Filipino festival

Canadian prosecutors have charged a 30-year-old Vancouver resident with murder for killing at least 11 people and injuring dozens after he rammed an SUV through a crowd at a Filipino community festival in the western Canadian city.

The man, Kai-Ji Adam Lo, was charged with eight counts of second-degree murder by prosecutors in British Columbia and "further charges are anticipated," according to a post on X by the Vancouver Police.

Lo appeared in court on Sunday, hours after he was arrested at the scene of the incident on Saturday evening. Court documents seen by Reuters did not show a plea.

Authorities described Lo as having had a "significant history" of interactions with authorities involving mental health. They said there was no evidence of terrorism.

"This is the darkest day in our city's history," Vancouver Interim Chief Constable Steve Rai told reporters at a Sunday press conference.

Police said two dozen people were injured, some critically, and warned that the death toll could rise in coming days and weeks. As of Sunday afternoon, Rai said he did not believe there were any ongoing threats to the community.

More than 100 police officers joined the investigation, as local officials worked with provincial and federal authorities to provide support services. Messages of condolence and support came from across the globe.

The attack on Saturday evening took place two days before Canada's federal election on Monday. A spokesperson for Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said he would be travelling to Vancouver on Sunday.

Carney's campaign movements were delayed on Sunday morning but he resumed campaigning after making a statement in which he expressed his condolences to the country's Filipino community. "Last night, families lost a sister, a brother, a mother, a father, a son or a daughter. Those families are living every family's nightmare," he told reporters in Hamilton, Ontario. "I join all Canadians in mourning with you. I know that Canadians are united with you," he said.

British Columbia Premier David Eby said at a press conference near the site of the attack on Sunday afternoon that it was hard not to feel rage towards the man who "murdered innocent people" for reasons that were not yet known. "I want to turn the rage that I feel into ensuring that we stand with the Filipino community, that we deliver what they need, that we stand with those families who have lost loved ones," he told reporters. "I know it's hard to believe it in this moment, but I know we will come back stronger."

More than 12 hours after the incident, police still did not have a motive for the attack at the festival, which took place without a dedicated police presence or heavy vehicle barriers. "There were no known threats to the event or to the Filipino community," Rai said.

The suspect was initially chased down and held by festival-goers until police arrived, witnesses said. The injured were taken to multiple hospitals, police said.

The incident happened shortly after 8:00 pm (0300 GMT) in Vancouver's Sunset neighborhood, an area known for its large Asian population, where the Lapu-Lapu Day Block Party, celebrating a Philippine national hero, was taking place. One witness told CTV News he saw a black vehicle driving erratically in the area of the festival just before the crowd was struck. A photo of the aftermath posted online showed a dark Audi SUV with both front fenders crumpled and the hood pushed up toward the vehicle's windshield.