Shortly after 8 p.m. last night in Vancouver, Canada, a car plowed into the crowd at the intersection of E. 41st Avenue and Fraser Street, where the Filipino community had gathered to celebrate Lapu-Lapu Day with a street festival. This is a commemorative festival held every April 26 in honor of Datu Lapu-Lapu, the Mactan chieftain who defeated Spanish forces led by Ferdinand Magellan in 1521 at the historic Battle of Mactan.
According to some witnesses, a black SUV raced through the crowd, running over numerous people. Witnesses described the driver as a young Asian man with obvious signs of mental disability. Authorities arrested the man at the scene and confirmed the deaths of nine people, ruling out terrorist motives.
The incident was filmed by several witnesses, who shared videos on social media. The images show bodies on the ground and rescue teams engaged in assisting the injured.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed his condolences, “I am devastated to learn what happened at the Lapu-Lapu festival in Vancouver. I offer my deepest condolences to the loved ones of the victims, the Filipino Canadian community and all the citizens of Vancouver. We mourn with you. We thank our first responders for their quick action.”
Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim also said, “I am shocked and deeply saddened by the horrific incident at today’s Lapu-Lapu Day event.”
