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Canada's leaders react to mass casualty incident at Vancouver street festival

Kenneth Chan
Kenneth Chan
|
Apr 27 2025, 8:09 am
Canada's leaders react to mass casualty incident at Vancouver street festival
Emergency response for the incident on Fraser Street near East 41st Avenue in Vancouver on April 26, 2025. (Abigail Butch Andiso)

UPDATE at 9:20 a.m.: During a morning press conference after 9 a.m., Vancouver Police state the death toll has further risen to 11 people, with dozens more injured. They say this was the “darkest day in our city’s history.”

Canada’s political leaders are expressing shock and sorrow following a mass casualty incident at a Vancouver street festival on Saturday evening.

The incident occurred at approximately 8:15 p.m. at the Lapu Lapu Day Block Party, held in the vicinity of Fraser Street between East 41st Avenue and East 49th Avenue.

A car plowed through the crowd on the street, within an area used as a food truck zone.

During a midnight press conference, acting Vancouver Police Chief Steve Rai confirmed that a lone male suspect in his 30s had been taken into custody. He reiterated earlier police statements that multiple people were killed and others injured, with victims transported to several hospitals across the region.

At 3:05 a.m., VPD provided a further update, confirming at least nine people are dead. By 9:20 a.m., the death toll had been updated to 11 individuals, with dozens more injured.

“We are confident that this incident was not an act of terrorism,” reads a VPD post on X at 1:34 a.m.

Photos and videos shared on social media show the grim severity of the incident, with footage showing many people on the ground injured and motionless.

Canada’s political leaders swiftly issued statements of support following the incident.

Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre and federal NDP leader Jagmeet Singh were both in British Columbia on Saturday, campaigning in the final days before Monday’s election.

vancouver fraser street incident april 26 2025

Emergency response for the incident on Fraser Street near East 41st Avenue in Vancouver on April 26, 2025. (Abigail Butch Andiso)

Singh said he had left the festival just minutes before the incident occurred.

“I am horrified to learn of an incident at Vancouver’s Lapu Lapu Day celebrations that injured and killed innocent people. As we wait to learn more, our thoughts are with the victims and their families – and Vancouver’s Filipino community, who were coming together today to celebrate resilience,” said Singh.

Poilievre also shared his reaction.

“I am shocked by the horrific news emerging from Vancouver’s Lapu Lapu Day Festival tonight. My thoughts are with the Filipino community and all the victims targeted by this senseless attack. Thank you to the first responders who are at the scene as we wait to hear more,” said Poilievre.

Liberal Party leader Mark Carney expressed his condolences.

“I am devastated to hear about the horrific events at the Lapu Lapu Festival in Vancouver earlier this evening. 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. We are monitoring the situation closely, and thankful to our first responders for their swift action,” said Carney.

B.C. Premier David Eby also addressed the tragedy. “Shocked and heartbroken to hear of the lives lost and those injured at the Lapu Lapu Festival. Police are investigating, and a suspect is in custody. We are in contact with the City of Vancouver and will provide any support needed. My thoughts are with the victims and their loved ones,” said Eby.

And Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim stated, “I am shocked and deeply saddened by the horrific incident at today’s Lapu Lapu Day event. We will work to provide more information as soon as we can, but at this time the Vancouver Police Department have confirmed that there are a number of fatalities and multiple injuries. Our thoughts are with all those affected and with Vancouver’s Filipino community during this incredibly difficult time.”

King Charles issued a statement of support as well.

“Both my wife and I were profoundly saddened to learn of the dreadful attack and utterly tragic loss of life in Vancouver, which took place as the Filipino community came together to mark the celebration of one of their most special festivals. Our hearts and prayers go out to all those whose lives have been shattered by such a desperate tragedy and we send our deepest possible sympathy at a most agonizing time for so many in Canada,” stated the monarch.

The sentiment of solidarity was also shared by Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek, Edmonton Mayor Amarjeet Sohi, Ontario Premier Doug Ford, Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow, and Washington State Governor Bob Ferguson.

“Filipino Canadians are kind, hard-working, and cherished members of our communities right across Canada. What happened last night at the Lapu Lapu Festival in Vancouver is truly incomprehensible. Albertans are heartbroken by this devastating loss of life and injuries reported. Vancouver and its Filipino community are firmly in our thoughts and prayers,” said Smith.

Gondek stated, “The devastating attack on the Filipino community in Vancouver last night is heartbreaking. The Lapu Lapu Day Festival was meant to be a celebration, but ended in horror after a senseless act of violence. My heart is with the Filipino community in Vancouver as well as Calgary.”

Sohi stated, “I am deeply saddened to hear about the attack that took place at the Lapu Lapu festival in Vancouver last night. My thoughts are with those that are affected by the events of last night and with Canada’s Filipino community during this difficult time. I have been in contact with the Filipino community here in Edmonton — I offered my support and my commitment to stand with them. We are mourning with you, and we are united behind you.”

Ford stated, “On behalf of the people of Ontario, I want to express my heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of those who lost their lives and to everyone impacted by the tragic events at Vancouver’s Lapu-Lapu Day festival. This horrific act of violence has left us all in shock. Our thoughts are with the Filipino community in Vancouver and across Canada during this incredibly difficult time.”

Chow stated, “I was heartbroken to learn of the horrific events at the Lapu Lapu Day street festival in Vancouver. My deepest condolences to the families, friends and communities of those who were hurt or killed. Today, we mourn with the people of Vancouver and Filipino communities across Canada.”

And Ferguson stated, “My heart goes out to our neighbours in the Filipino-Canadian community, and the loved ones of those lost in this senseless act of violence. I’m thankful for the quick action of the first responders who rescued the wounded and quickly apprehended the suspect.”

This was the second annual Lapu Lapu Day Block Party, a recently created public event that was supposed to celebrate Vancouver’s Filipino community’s culture and heritage. This year’s event included a main stage performance featuring members of the Black Eyed Peas — Apl.de.Ap and J. Rey Soul — along with other musicians, cultural performances, and dance showcases.

vancouver fraser street incident april 26 2025

Emergency response for the incident on Fraser Street near East 41st Avenue in Vancouver on April 26, 2025. (Abigail Butch Andiso)

fraser street incident vancouver april 26 2025

Approximate location of the police incident on Fraser Street in South Vancouver on April 26, 2025. (Google Maps)

According to the provincial government, there are over 170,000 Filipinos living in B.C., and Filipino Canadians are the fourth-largest visible minority group in the country and the third-largest in this province.

“We are still finding the words to express the deep heartbreak brought on by this senseless tragedy. We are devastated for the families and victims,” reads a statement by the Filipino Canadian Community & Cultural Society of B.C.

“We encourage everyone to check in, support and hold each other. Do not hesitate to access resources available. You are not alone.”

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