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Vancouver driver charged with eight counts of murder in Lapu Lapu Day festival incident

Kenneth Chan
Kenneth Chan
|
Apr 28 2025, 1:24 am
Vancouver driver charged with eight counts of murder in Lapu Lapu Day festival incident
Fraser Street south of East 41st Avenue in Vancouver closed on April 27, 2025, following the deadly incident on the evening of April 26. (Daniel Chai/Daily Hive)

A Vancouver man has been charged in connection with the deadly attack that killed at least 11 people and injured dozens more at the Lapu Lapu Day Block Party, a Filipino community festival.

In a press release issued late Sunday afternoon — the sixth update to media since the attack occurred on Saturday evening — the Vancouver Police Department (VPD) also publicly identified the suspect in custody as Kai-Ji Adam Lo.

He has now been charged by the BC Prosecution Service with eight counts of second-degree murder. Authorities say additional charges are expected as the charge assessment process continues.

VPD states that some of the victims in this mass-casualty incident remain unidentified. They have shared that Lo has had a significant history of mental health issues and is known to have had many interactions with police in the past.

Lo, 30 years old, has appeared in court and will remain in custody. He was arrested at the scene after witnesses and bystanders intervened to detain him until police officers arrived.

VPD emphasize this incident was not a terrorist attack.

The tragedy unfolded at approximately 8:15 p.m. Saturday, when an SUV was driven into a crowd gathered for the Lapu Lapu Day festival near Fraser Street and East 43rd Avenue. The victims ranged in age from five to 65 years old.

Earlier on Sunday, Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim and VPD Acting Chief Steve Rai called this incident the “darkest day in our city’s history.”

“I stand here before you today not just as the mayor of Vancouver but also as a father, a husband, a son, a neighbour, and a friend,” Sim said.

“Yesterday, Vancouver and the Filipino community suffered its darkest day here in the City of Vancouver. I’m heartbroken, I’m shocked, and I’m angry. To the Filipino community and the family members of the victims, we see you, we love you, and we grieve with you.”

During a press conference, B.C. Premier David Eby said, “I don’t think there’s a British Columbian that hasn’t been touched in some way by the Filipino community. This is a community that gives and gives.”

VPD states they have established a 24-hour assistance centre at Douglas Park Community Centre at 801 West 22nd Ave., where VPD officers and victim services professionals have been deployed to help anyone who has not been able to contact a loved one who was at the festival. Anyone who is not able to attend in person is asked to call 604-717-3321.

With files from Simran Singh, Amir Ali, and Daniel Chai

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