Death toll rises to 11 in Vancouver car-ramming attack
At least 11 people are dead and dozens others injured after a driver rammed into a crowd at the Lapu Lapu Day Block Party in Vancouver on Saturday evening.
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Eleven people were killed and many others were injured in last night’s attack at the Lapu Lapu Day Block Party in Vancouver, interim police Chief Steve Rai said this morning.The death toll could increase in the coming days and weeks, Rai added.A driver rammed an SUV into a crowd at the festival shortly after 8 p.m. PT, as the event was wrapping up.A 30-year-old suspect is in police custody but no charges have been laid at this point, according to Rai.The man has an “extensive history” of interactions with police and mental health professionals, Rai said.Vancouver’s large Filipino community is mourning those who were killed and rallying to support all those affected by the attack.Updates
April 27
7 minutes ago
‘Traumatic scar on our city psyche’
Verity Stevenson
Coun. Pete Fry during a city council meeting in Vancouver in February. (Ben Nelms/CBC)City Coun. Pete Fry was also at the festival yesterday. He recounted how a colleague of his had managed to escape the tragedy with her two-year-old.
When Fry heard about what had happened, he returned to the site of the celebrations, where he spoke to reporters while visibly shaken and emotional.
He said “a great number of people in shock” were there when he arrived and were being comforted by first responders and festival volunteers.
“The confusion and the shock of knowing that this probably was going to unfold as a deep tragedy was painted on everybody’s faces,” Fry told CBC News Network host Natasha Fatah. “It’s a traumatic scar on our city psyche.”
“This is nothing like Vancouver has ever experienced,” the city councillor said, adding the city would now “join the ranks of many cities across the globe who experienced these acts of just horrendous violence.”
13 minutes ago
Prayer vigil being held at church in south Vancouver
Akshay Kulkarni
A prayer vigil is being held at St. Mary the Virgin South Hill Church in Vancouver, just blocks away from the site of the attack. Songs are ringing out in honour of those who lost their lives.
The pews are packed with people at the church at Fraser Street and 49th Avenue, and the congregation is largely composed of people of Filipino descent.
Also in attendance are a number of the province’s MLAs, many of whom are singing too.
18 minutes ago
Vancouver will always have a home for Filipino community, Aquino says
Rhianna Schmunk
Speaking to people who were potentially visiting Vancouver for the first time or looking for a piece of home after moving to the city, Aquino said:
“Just know that there’s a tight-knit community here and we are making an effort to ensure that we’re seen, heard and celebrated — that our culture is shared with those who want to celebrate with us. What the festival has shown … Filipinos love festivals, love to eat, love to share that part of ourselves. And we’ll continue to do that. People will find a home here and we’ll continue to make it so people feel that they have a home here.”
31 minutes ago
‘I don’t think my phone has buzzed that much in my entire life’
Rhianna Schmunk
Aquino is speaking now to how close-knit the Filipino community is in Vancouver. He said his phone and countless others lit up late last night as people tried to confirm whether their loved ones were OK.
“I don’t think my phone has buzzed that much in my entire life,” he said. “There was a lot of panic and, you know, relief, when somebody answers.”
33 minutes ago
Organizers not focused on speculation about suspect
Rhianna Schmunk
Aquino said he doesn’t “think it’s the right time” to speculate on the suspect’s mental health or other unconfirmed details.
“We are focused on the victims and we are focused on those that have been affected,” he said. “I’m sure officials doing the investigation will provide more information as that comes to light and we’ll know it at the same time you guys do.”
35 minutes ago
Festival had just finished when attack happened, Elmore says
Rhianna Schmunk
Elmore is reiterating that the festival was winding down when the SUV drove through the crowd. The food trucks had been popular and it was around dinnertime, so there were a lot of people around, she said.
Asked about the victims, Elmore said she won’t be speaking to any details.
“The casualties are unimaginable and the injuries in our community…” Elmore said earlier, before trailing off.
36 minutes ago
Risk assessment done before festival
Rhianna Schmunk
Events like Lapu Lapu have a “comprehensive risk assessment” and “that was certainly the case” for Saturday’s event, Elmore said.
40 minutes ago
‘Just an unspeakable tragedy’
Rhianna Schmunk
Elmore walks with federal NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh at the festival before the attack on Saturday. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press)“I’m heartbroken and our thoughts and our love are with the casualties, their families, those injured, our volunteers. Our priority now in the Filipino community is providing support to those people,” said B.C. MLA Mable Elmore, the first and only MLA in B.C. who’s of Filipino heritage.
She represents the Vancouver-Kensington riding and said Lapu Lapu was a celebration just steps outside of her office.
“Just an unspeakable tragedy,” Elmore said, thanking first responders who helped victims. “We are collectively shattered but we are coming together as a community.”
44 minutes ago
Aquino says support has come from around the world
Rhianna Schmunk
“At this point, we want to ask everybody to respect the privacy of the families and those that have been affected — including those that were there at the event and witnessed all this first-hand. Everyone’s having a hard time dealing with it right now.”
He said the organization has heard support and condolences from around the world.
46 minutes ago
Festival organizers are speaking now
Rhianna Schmunk
Filipino B.C. chair RJ Aquino said, “Last night was extremely difficult and the community will feel this for a long time.”
“We know that there’s a lot of questions floating about and we don’t have all the answers, but we want to tell everybody that we’re grieving.”
