Canadians are outraged after a man drove through a crowd in a Vancouver Filipino festival, killing 11 people and injuring multiple others.
Vancouver police revealed that a 30-year-old man drove a black Audi SUV through a large crowd during the Lapu Lapu Day Festival near East 43rd Ave. and Fraser St. around 8 p.m. on Saturday, injuring and killing multiple people.
Interim Chief Steve Rai revealed on Sunday that 11 people were killed as a result of the attack, and the number could go up in the upcoming days, as multiple others are hospitalized with serious injuries.
The suspect was arrested at the scene on Saturday, and the Vancouver Police Department’s Major Crime Section is now investigating the incident.
Rai also said that while they aren’t allowed to reveal the identity of the suspect, he has a history of contact with local police and hospitals related to mental health issues.
At this time, there are no indicators that the attack was an act of terrorism, and police installed a 24-hour assistance centre at the Douglas Park Community Centre to help people who have been trying to locate loved ones who attended the event.
“Eleven people have now died as a result of the mass-casualty event at the Lapu Lapu Day Festival. Our hearts are with all of the victims, their loved ones, and everyone who has been impacted by this act of violence. This is the darkest day in our city’s history,” Vancouver police said in an X post on Sunday.
A number of people have been killed and multiple others are injured after a driver drove into a crowd at a street festival at E. 41st Avenue and Fraser shortly after 8 p.m. tonight. The driver is in custody. We will provide more information as the investigation unfolds. pic.twitter.com/Iqh5AK5Au3
— Vancouver Police (@VancouverPD) April 27, 2025
Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim addressed the incident overnight, wishing his condolences to the Filipino community, and saying he is working with local authorities to provide more information soon.
I am shocked and deeply saddened by the horrific incident at today’s Lapu Lapu Day event. We will work to provide more information as soon as we can, but at this time @VancouverPD have confirmed that there are a number of fatalities and multiple injuries. Our thoughts are with…
— Mayor Ken Sim (@KenSimCity) April 27, 2025
Similarly, British Columbia Premier David Eby also shared his sentiments and revealed that the provincial government will work to provide any necessary support during the investigation.
Shocked & heartbroken to hear of the lives lost & those injured at the Lapu Lapu festival. Police are investigating & a suspect is in custody. We are in contact with the City of Vancouver and will provide any support needed. My thoughts are with the victims and their loved ones. https://t.co/VJ5HU58m6f
— David Eby (@Dave_Eby) April 27, 2025
Canadians online are upset about the casualty, sending their condolences to victims’ families, and calling out event organizers and local authorities for not properly closing the area where the festival took place to avoid incidents.
“Pilipinos are the nicest race of people I’ve ever met, gracious, god loving and kind to a fault. May God help the families and friends heal from this tragedy,” one X user said.
“This incident is tragic, and thoughts are with the victims, their families, and those affected. Gratitude is extended to the first responders for their prompt action. Hopefully, the investigation will shed light on the circumstances surrounding this event,” another user added.
“Unacceptable that the roads were not blocked. Massive oversight,” a different user pointed out.
“It needs to be standard protocol that any permitted street closures for use by pedestrians must be physically blocked by means that will not allow any vehicle to enter at any speed. Simple traffic barricades are not suitable, there needs to be barriers that will stop a vehicle,” another user chimed in.
King Charles III also spoke out about the tragedy, offering his sympathy for Canadians in light of “a most agonizing time” for the country.
“Both my wife and I were profoundly saddened to learn of the dreadful attack and utterly tragic loss of life in Vancouver, which took place as the Filipino community came together to mark the celebration of one of their most special festivals,” he said in a statement.
The King’s message following this weekend’s tragic events at the Lapu Lapu festival in Vancouver. pic.twitter.com/Q0FBAC3APe
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) April 27, 2025
PARTY LEADERS REACT
The tragic incident took place only two days before Canadians are set to head to the polls to cast their ballots in the next federal election.
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh attended the Lapu-Lapu Day Block Party to speak with attendees, and left only a few minutes before the incident occurred.
“This is so horrific. I don’t even know what to say. I was there—and I just imagine the faces of the kids that I saw, smiling and dancing; I imagine the aunties that were there… I don’t even know what to say. It’s horrific. I’m heartbroken. And I just want the Filipino community to know that we stand with you,” he told reporters in Burnaby, B.C. after learning about the incident.
I am horrified to learn of an incident at Vancouver’s Lapu Lapu Day celebrations that injured and killed innocent people.
— Jagmeet Singh (@theJagmeetSingh) April 27, 2025
As we wait to learn more, our thoughts are with the victims and their families – and Vancouver’s Filipino community, who were coming together today to…
Speaking with reporters in Hamilton, ON, Liberal Leader Mark Carney revealed that local authorities believe that the arrested suspect acted alone, and are working to determine why the incident occurred.
“Overnight, I was briefed by my National Security Intelligence Advisor and the Public Safety Minister about the situation. Currently, we do not believe that there is any active threat to Canadians,” he said.
Carney also said that his ministers and the federal government are also engaged with local authorities to help with investigations at this time, and said that he will be speaking again later today.
“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. And to them and to the many others who were injured, to the Filipino-Canadian community, and to everyone in the broader lower mainland in Vancouver, I would like to offer my deepest condolences, my wishes for strength and compassion in this tragic time,” he added.
I am devastated to hear about the horrific events at the Lapu Lapu festival in Vancouver earlier this evening.
— Mark Carney (@MarkJCarney) April 27, 2025
I offer my deepest condolences to the loved ones of those killed and injured, to the Filipino Canadian community, and to everyone in Vancouver. We are all mourning with…
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre also addressed the incident, sharing a video of him next to his wife Anaida Poilievre in Mississauga, ON in an X post.
“I just wanted you all to know that our hearts are with you today. All Canadians are united in solidarity with the Filipino community. All Canadians united with you in mourning the loss of these treasured lives, and in binding our country together to support the surviving loved ones,” he said.
We mourn the loss of innocent lives at the attack last night at Vancouver’s Lapu Lapu Day Festival.
— Pierre Poilievre (@PierrePoilievre) April 27, 2025
My thoughts today are with the families of the victims and the entire Filipino community across Canada.
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Nous pleurons la perte de vies innocentes lors de l'attaque perpétrée… pic.twitter.com/9Wgm4SlnTv
SEVEN YEARS SINCE TORONTO VAN ATTACK
The Vancouver attack took place on the same day that the City of Toronto held its seventh annual memorial gathering in homage of the victims of the Yonge Street Van Attack.
On Saturday morning, Mayor Olivia Chow and Willowdale Coun. Lily Cheng gathered at the Mel Lastman Square to reveal the new blue-and-white Heroes’ Way street signs to be installed near Canterbury Place.
This was the biggest mass killing attack in the city’s history, when 11 people were killed and 15 were injured after a man drove a van through a crowd along Yonge St. between Finch and Sheppard Ave. on April 23, 2018.
The man was then charged with 10 counts of first-degree murder and 16 counts of attempted murder, and sentenced to life in prison in 2022.
The Saturday event honoured the first responders and others who offered support to the victims.
Today, we stood with community, @TorontoPolice and @TorontoMedics for the unveiling of Heroes’ Way, a tribute to all emergency responders, marking the 7th anniversary of the Yonge Street tragedy. Thank you @MayorOliviaChow , @LilyChengTO and @cityoftoronto. #TorontoStrong pic.twitter.com/cb9qFcVAP5
— Toronto Fire Services 🇨🇦 (@Toronto_Fire) April 26, 2025
“Nearly 2,000 first responders and personnel were involved in the aftermath and investigation. Let these signs stand as a symbol of our remembrance and gratitude for their service,” Chow said in an X post.
On Sunday morning, the Toronto mayor also offered her sentiments to the victims and families of the Vancouver attack.
I was heartbroken to learn of the horrific events at the Lapu Lapu Day street festival in Vancouver. My deepest condolences to the families, friends and communities of those who were hurt or killed.
— Mayor Olivia Chow 🇨🇦 (@MayorOliviaChow) April 27, 2025
Today, we mourn with the people of Vancouver and Filipino communities across…
