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Monday, April 28, 2025

Lapu Lapu Attack: Vancouver driver Kai-Ji Adam Lo charged with murder

The police chief said the death toll could rise, describing the incident as “the darkest day in our city’s history.”

• April 28, 2025
Filipino Lapu Lapu festival
Filipino Lapu Lapu festival

Vancouver police said Kai-Ji Adam Lo, the driver who rammed a car into the Lapu Lapu festival crowd in Vancouver, Canada, killing at least 11 and injuring scores over the weekend, has been charged with eight counts of second degree murder.

The police, in a statement posted on X on Monday, said Mr Lo, a 30-year-old Vancouver resident, was charged to court on Sunday and would remain in custody.

“The BC Prosecution Service has now charged Kai-Ji Adam Lo, 30, with eight counts of second degree murder,” the police said. “Lo, a Vancouver resident, has appeared in court and remains in custody. The charge assessment is ongoing, and further charges are anticipated.”

According to the police, 11 people, aged 5 to 65, were killed, and more than two dozen others injured when a man drove an SUV into a crowd of people celebrating the Lapu Lapu Day festival near Fraser Street on East 43rd Avenue.

Some of those killed at the festival have not been unidentified.

In a press conference on Sunday, acting police chief Steve Rai said they did not believe it was an “act of terrorism”.

Mr Rai added the death toll could rise, describing the incident as “the darkest day in our city’s history.”

This year’s Lapu Lapu Festival, a commemoration of the Filipino anti-colonial leader, turned bloody due to the tragic incident.

Prime Minister Mark Carney commiserated with the victims in a post on X.

“I am devastated to hear about the horrific events at the Lapu Lapu festival in Vancouver earlier this evening,” Mr Carney said. “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 you.”

Similarly, Vancouver’s mayor, Ken Sim, said, “I am shocked and deeply saddened by the horrific incident at today’s Lapu Lapu Day event.

“Our thoughts are with all those affected and with Vancouver’s Filipino community during this incredibly difficult time.”

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