A devastating incident unfolded in Vancouver when a man drove a black Audi Q7 SUV into a crowd gathered for the Lapu Lapu Day festival, a celebration of Filipino heritage. The attack, which took place on Saturday, left 11 people dead and more than 20 injured, making it one of the deadliest events in the city’s history.
The suspect, a 30-year-old man known to local authorities due to previous encounters related to mental health issues, was detained at the scene by bystanders before being taken into police custody. Investigators stated that the act was not linked to terrorism, emphasizing that the attacker acted alone.
The Lapu Lapu Day festival, named after a Filipino national hero who resisted Spanish colonization, drew nearly 100,000 people to downtown Vancouver. The atmosphere of celebration quickly turned to chaos as the vehicle plowed through attendees, causing widespread panic and heartbreak within the community.
Authorities confirmed that the suspect faces multiple charges, including 11 counts of manslaughter and over 20 counts of attempted murder. Vancouver Police have increased their presence at upcoming public events as part of enhanced security measures following the attack.