Vancouver law enforcement officials are sharing more details about the deadly attack that took place at a Filipino festival near John Oliver Secondary School this weekend.
At a press conference at VPD headquarters today, Sergeant Steve Addison said that more charges are expected in the coming days.
Eleven people have lost their lives and dozens more have been hospitalized, including some in critical and serious condition, as a result of the attack. Addison said that these are “really hard days” for the community. He said that while events like this have occurred elsewhere, they have never happened in Vancouver.
More details were shared about the victims, including the fact that nine of the deceased are women and two are men. They lived in various communities around Metro Vancouver.
We also heard a little bit more about the suspect.
Addison said that police had an interaction with the suspect a day before the tragic attack, but it was not criminal in nature, “and it did not rise to the level where mental health intervention was required.”
“Beyond that, I’m not prepared to disclose additional information at this time,” Addison said.
Reporters asked Addison to expand on that interaction, but he refused to comment further, aside from saying the interaction didn’t occur in Vancouver.
“The trauma is going to increase,” he noted, adding it’s going to get harder before it gets easier.
While eight second-degree murder charges have been laid, Addison said more could be laid soon. Seven people are still in critical condition, and three are in serious condition. Many others were injured.
He also shared that the area where the incident took place is still an active crime scene.
VPD first shared details about the incident and the attacker this weekend. We learned from acting VPD Chief Steve Rai and Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim that the suspect has a lengthy history of mental health calls involving police.
Rai said that Saturday night’s events represented an incident “the likes of which the city has never before.”
Sim also shared his condolences.
“I’m heartbroken, I’m shocked, and I’m angry,” the mayor said. Sim said the events at the Lapu Lapu festival were unthinkable.
The mayor also took the opportunity to assure residents that Vancouver is “still a safe city.”
As the investigation continues, police are asking folks who might have information to come forward.
Lapu Lapu Festival Attack– Help Us with Your Videos and Tips
The Vancouver Police Department is investigating a mass casualty incident that occurred during the Lapu Lapu Festival on Saturday, April 26, 2025, around 8:00 p.m. in the 600 block of E. 43rd Avenue.
If you captured… pic.twitter.com/YtNVZBJQVt
— Vancouver Police (@VancouverPD) April 28, 2025
Addison said that witness tips and videos are critical to the investigation.
“We’ve got a lot more work to do,” Addison said.