Vancouver car attack latest: Suspect named and charged with murder after 11 killed in car-ramming attack – UK Times

Interim Police Chief Steve Rai said the suspect was arrested after initially being apprehended by bystanders.

Video circulating on social media showed a young man in a black hoodie with his back against a chain-link fence, alongside a security guard and surrounded by bystanders screaming and swearing at him.

“I’m sorry,” the man said, holding his hand to his head. Rai declined to comment on the video.

Police identified the suspect as Kai-Ji Adam Lo, 30, and charged him with eight counts of second-degree murder after a black Audi Q7 SUV was driven into a Filipino heritage festival at around 8pm on Saturday night. The “mass casualty event” at the Lapu Lapu festival near East 43rd Avenue and Fraser Street also injured more than 20 people.

Lo was apprehended by bystanders at the scene, who detained him until police arrived and arrested him. “The charge assessment is ongoing and further charges are anticipated,” the police said.

Here, my colleague Shweta Sharma takes a look at who exactly suspect Kai-Ji Adam Lo is.

Vancouver had more than 38,600 residents of Filipino heritage in 2021, representing 5.9 per cent of the city’s total population, according to Statistics Canada, the agency that conducts the national census.

The organisers of the Vancouver event, which was in its second year, said Lapu-Lapu “represents the soul of native resistance, a powerful force that helped shape the Filipino identity in the face of colonization”.

British Columbia Premier David Eby said the province will not let the tragedy define the celebration. He urged people to channel their rage into helping those affected.

“I don’t think there is a British Columbian that hasn’t been touched in some way by the Filipino community,” he said. “You can’t go to a place that delivers and not meet a member of that community in the long-term care home or hospitals, childcare or schools. This is a community that gives and gives and yesterday was a celebration of their culture.”

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. issued a statement saying that the Philippine Consulate in Vancouver would work with Canadian authorities to ensure the attack is thoroughly investigated, and that the victims and their families are supported.

The assault was reminiscent of a deadly attack in 2018.

Then, a man used a van to kill 10 pedestrians in Toronto.

Officials will review the situation, and it may change how they approach such events, police spokesperson Sgt. Steve Addison said.

“This was intended to be a safe, fun, family-friendly community block party for people to celebrate their community and culture,” Addison said. “The actions of one person stole that away from them.”

Investigators were seen collecting evidence at the scene on Monday.

They had executed a search warrant at a Vancouver property, police spokesperson Sgt. Steve Addison said.

Investigators were also going through bystander video from the scene.

An eyewitness has said hearing the sounds of people screaming and bodies hitting the vehicle in the Vancouver attack will never leave his mind.

Kris Pangilinan, who brought his pop-up clothing and lifestyle booth to the festival, saw the vehicle roll slowly past a barricade before the driver accelerated in an area packed with people after a concert.

“He slammed on the gas, barrelled through the crowd,” Mr Pangilinan said. “It looked like a bowling ball hitting bowling pins and all the pins are flying into the air.”

A mother and daughter have recounted seeing the damaged SUV and bodies on the ground after the attack in Vancouver over the weekend.

Nathaly Nairn and her 15-year-old daughter carried flowers to one of the vigils after attending the festival on Saturday.

“Something really dark happened last night,” Ms Nairn said as she and her daughter wiped away tears.

Thousands had gathered in Vancouver to celebrate Lapu-Lapu Day before tragedy struck.

Here is what the day means for Filipinos around the world: