Vancouver Car-Ramming Attack Suspect Charged with Eight Counts of Murder

Suspect in Vancouver festival attack ID’d as Kai-Ji Adam Lo, 30, after at least 11 killed, dozens more injured

Police in Vancouver, British Columbia, have charged Kai-Ji Adam Lo, 30, with eight counts of second-degree murder following a deadly crash at a cultural festival Saturday night. Lo was arrested at the scene after a black SUV drove into a crowd attending the Lapu-Lapu Day block party, killing 11 people and injuring dozens more. Authorities indicated that more charges are expected as the investigation continues.

Officials confirmed that the suspect, a Vancouver resident with a known history of mental illness, was familiar to police. Authorities emphasized that the incident was not linked to terrorism, noting that mental health appeared to be the underlying factor behind the attack.

Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney kneels as he mourns with members of the Filipino community at St. Mary the Virgin South Hill Church, after a vehicle was driven into a crowd at a Filipino community Lapu Lapu day block party, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, 27 April, 2025.

Victims ranged in age from 5 to 65 years old and included both men and women. Several victims remain hospitalized with critical injuries, and some have yet to be formally identified. More than two dozen people were injured, and victims were taken to nine different hospitals in the area.

Graphic videos posted on social media captured the aftermath, showing emergency responders attending to the wounded while a crumpled black SUV was seen in the middle of East 41st Avenue and Fraser Street, where the crash occurred around 8:14 p.m. The vehicle had rammed into food trucks and scattered debris across the pedestrian-only zone.

Debris and evidence markers lay on the street while police investigate after a vehicle drove into crowd at a street festival Saturday evening in Vancouver, Sunday, 27 April, 2025.

The crowd had gathered for the annual Lapu-Lapu Day celebration, honoring the Filipino hero who resisted Spanish colonization in 1521. Police said festivalgoers quickly apprehended the driver and turned him over to authorities. Vancouver police had previously assessed the event and determined no threats existed, opting not to deploy heavy barricades or a significant police presence.

Interim Police Chief Steve Rai stated that over 100 officers are now involved in the investigation. Authorities are also reviewing event planning protocols to determine if additional safety measures could have been taken.

Residents gather at St.Mary the Virgin Church for a vigil for victims of the car-ramming tragedy during the Filipino Lapu Lapu festival in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, 27 April 2025.

Mayor Ken Sim expressed shock and grief, extending condolences to the victims and the Filipino community. British Columbia Premier David Eby pledged full support to the city, while Prime Minister Mark Carney offered national condolences, recognizing the strength of the Filipino Canadian community. Carney invoked a Tagalog concept of unity and resilience, emphasizing the need for solidarity during this tragedy.

Jagmeet Singh, leader of Canada’s New Democrat Party, also expressed horror and sorrow for the victims and their families.

Sarah Edmilao, a member of the Filipino community who says friends had attended earlier in the day, places flowers at a growing memorial near a site the day after a driver killed multiple people during a Filipino festival on Sunday in Vancouver, British Columbia.

A community gathering and vigil are scheduled in Vancouver from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday local time to honor the victims and support the Filipino community, which numbers nearly 1 million people across Canada, according to the 2021 census.