A man in a sports utility vehicle targeted a group of Filipino celebration attendees in Vancouver on Saturday, April 26, causing many deaths and injuries. Many in the area are left shocked and sad after the shooting at about 8:14 p.m. on East 43rd and Fraser Street.
At least 11 people, ranging from 5 to 65, were reported dead and 20 others injured, in the incident. According to witnesses, things were in disarray. Yoseb Vardeh, who co-owns a food truck, said the driver must have been going 100 km/h (62 mph) and purposefully targeted the crowd.
Before police intervened, the group of spectators held down 30-year-old Kai-Ji Adam Lo. The charges against him now include eight counts of second-degree murder. In the past, Lo has dealt with police and mental health experts, but this situation is not being considered terrorism.
Thousands gathered at the festival hoping to pay tribute to Filipino culture. Candles have been lit in the city to remember those who died and Mark Carney, the nation’s Prime Minister, has extended his condolences to the families. Vancouver’s mayor, Ken Sim, added his condolences and mentioned mental health may have been involved in what happened.
People in the community are still trying to process what occurred while the inquiry continues. A lot of people are backing the victims and their families and there are many calls for increased security to keep such events from happening again [1].
