'Darkest day in our city's history': Suspect involved in Vancouver festival tragedy was known to police
Vancouver police provided more details about the tragic incident that killed 11 people and injured many more after a vehicle plowed through a crowd at the Lapu Lapu Day Festival on Saturday evening.
In a press conference on Sunday morning, Vancouver Police Interim Chief Steve Rai began by stating that the tragic event that took place the previous evening was the “darkest day in our city’s history.”
He shared further information about the 30-year-old male suspect, who remains in police custody.
Rai confirmed that the suspect did have “significant interactions with police and healthcare professionals related to mental health.”
“We have had interactions with him…he’s known to us,” said Rai.
“Shortly after 8 p.m. last night, Saturday, April 26, a man driving a black Audi SUV drove through a crowd of people at the Lapu Lapu Street Festival in South Vancouver,” he stated.
Rai noted tens of thousands of people were expected to pass through the festival throughout the day. Although the festivities were meant to wrap up around 8 p.m., many people remained gathered in the surrounding streets and on the festival grounds.
“There were still many people in the area when the incident occurred,” he said.
“The vehicle that struck the festival-goers approached the festival area from the west on East 43rd Avenue. It entered a small crowd-enclosed area and drove through the crowd.”
Community members have left flowers at a small memorial at the festival site. (Daniel Chai/ Daily Hive)
Rai said 11 deaths have now been confirmed. “We believe dozens are injured, some seriously, and the number of dead could rise in the coming days or weeks.”
He added that the victims were a mix of “male and female” and “young people”.
As for the suspect, he was the lone occupant and driver of the Audi SUV, which belonged to someone associated with the suspect’s family, stated Rai.
The man was arrested at the scene of the crime by VPD officers after witnesses and bystanders detained him.
Rai was unable to provide details about any potential motive, but reiterated that evidence in the case so far does not lead VPD to believe this was an act of terrorism.
He added that VPD is unable to identify the person in custody at this time because charges have not yet been laid.
“Homicide investigators are currently presenting evidence to Crown Counsel, which is the independent authority in British Columbia to lay criminal charges,” stated Rai.
As for the lead-up to the event and why there were no barricades set up to block access to the festival, VPD said it determined through consultations with the City of Vancouver and festival organizers that dedicated police officers and heavy vehicle barricades would not be deployed at the festival site.
Rai said VPD will be working with the City to review all circumstances surrounding the planning of the event. There are currently 100 VPD officers and investigators working on the case.
The street festival was held to celebrate Vancouver’s Filipino community and culture, commemorating a fearless Indigenous Visayan Chieftain from Mactan, Philippines.
With files from Kenneth Chan