Vancouver police have ruled out terrorism in the car ramming attack that killed 11 people and injured more than 20 others at a Filipino heritage festival, saying the suspect has a history of mental health issues. According to CBC, the suspect, a 30-year-old Vancouver resident, was driving a black Audi SUV and is currently in custody. Interim Vancouver Police Chief Steve Rai said police are not naming the driver as charges have not yet been laid.
Rai told a news conference, “We have had substantive contact with him over mental health issues.” He explained that for an incident to be classified as terrorism, “there should be some political, religious ideology, ideation behind it.” However, based on “the history we have with him,” which includes mental health-related incidents, police concluded that “there wasn’t any other indicators.”
🚨Vancouver Police confirm that the suspect who drove his SUV into a crowd at the Vancouver Lapu Lapu festival is well known to police:
“The person we have in custody does have a significant history of interaction with police and healthcare professionals related to mental… pic.twitter.com/F5NH4HXipM
— Kirk Lubimov (@KirkLubimov) April 27, 2025
Describing the gravity of the tragedy, Rai said, “I said it’s the darkest day in Vancouver’s history and I stand by that,” CBC reported. The injured were taken to nine area hospitals. Rai cautioned that “the number of dead could rise in the coming days or weeks.”
The incident occurred around 8:14 p.m. on Saturday near East 41st Avenue and Fraser Street, during the Lapu Lapu Day Block Party, which drew up to 100,000 people throughout the day. Police said the vehicle entered the street and slammed into the crowd. Witnesses reported horrific scenes, with bodies seen flying into the air and landing amidst food trucks.
According to news agency AP, Kris Pangilinan, who was at the festival with a pop-up booth, recounted the chilling moment, saying, “He sideswiped someone on his right side and I was like, ‘Oh, yo yo.’ And then he slammed on the gas.” Pangilinan described the acceleration as sounding “like an F1 car about to start a race,” and likened the scene to “a bowling ball hitting bowling pins.”
Video footage showed the suspect being detained by bystanders before police arrived. Interim Chief Rai confirmed that the man was initially apprehended by civilians. In the video, the suspect, wearing a black hoodie, is seen apologising while holding his head.
Canadian PM Carney Delivers Emotional Address To Families: ‘Canada Is mourning With You’
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who cancelled a campaign event ahead of Monday’s election, said, “Last night families lost a sister, a brother, a mother, father, son or a daughter. Those families are living every family’s nightmare.” Fighting back tears, he offered condolences to the Filipino Canadian community and assured that authorities believe there is no ongoing threat to Canadians.
The attack at the Lapu Lapu festival has left our country shocked, devastated, and heartbroken.
To those grieving, to those who were injured, to the Filipino Canadian community, and to everyone in Vancouver: Canada is mourning with you, and we are united behind you. pic.twitter.com/GQnubDjQma
— Mark Carney (@MarkJCarney) April 27, 2025
“Our government — and all of Canada — is united behind the Filipino Canadian community and the people of Vancouver in this incredibly painful time,” he wrote in a post.
James Cruzat, a business owner, said he initially mistook the loud bang for a gunshot, only to find bodies lying lifeless on the ground. Another witness, Nic Magtajas, described seeing people “go high up from the impact of hitting the car”, AP reported.
“No Barriers” Behind School: Vancouver Police Face Questions Over Security
Addressing concerns about event safety, Interim Vancouver Police Chief Steve Rai noted that most of the festival took place on school grounds not accessible by road. The only road that required partial closure was behind the school for food trucks, and there were “no barriers” restricting access, CBC reported. He added that last year’s festival had no issues, and police, after consultation with the city and organisers, had determined that heavy police presence was not necessary.
Rai said authorities would now work with the city to review the planning and security around the event, though the immediate focus remains on supporting victims.
Vancouver Mayor Kenneth Sim expressed his sorrow, stating in a social media post, “I am shocked and deeply saddened by the horrific incident at today’s Lapu Lapu Day event. Our thoughts are with all those affected and with Vancouver’s Filipino community during this incredibly difficult time.”
In a similar tragedy in 2018, Alek Minassian killed 10 pedestrians using a van in Toronto, highlighting concerns around vehicle attacks in Canada.
