What was supposed to be a joyous celebration quickly turned into a scene of horror at Vancouver’s Lapu Lapu Day Festival. On Saturday night, a 30-year-old man drove his black SUV directly into a crowd of festivalgoers, killing several people and injuring many others. Witnesses described scenes of terror and chaos as people fled for their lives, with debris, broken food stalls, and injured victims scattered along the street. Videos from the scene captured bystanders screaming in disbelief, with the suspect’s heavily damaged SUV halted in the middle of the wreckage, its airbags deployed.
Heroic Efforts Amid the Horror
Footage showed emergency responders and civilians working desperately to aid the wounded. One particularly chilling clip featured a witness yelling, “There’s a baby over there! There’s a baby under the truck.” CPR was administered to victims on the street as others were loaded into ambulances.
The black SUV remained at the scene as investigators combed through the area for evidence. Interim Police Chief Steve Rai confirmed that the suspect, a local Vancouver man, was in custody. Authorities are “confident” that the incident was not related to terrorism but emphasized that the motive remains under investigation.
Rai further noted that the suspect was previously known to law enforcement “in certain circumstances,” leaving open many possibilities regarding the driver’s intentions.
Celebrating Filipino Heritage Cut Short
The tragic event occurred at E. 41st Avenue and Fraser Street during a festival honoring Lapu-Lapu, a revered Filipino hero who resisted Spanish colonization. Vancouver’s Lapu Lapu Day Festival was only recently established in 2023 to celebrate Filipino culture, unity, and pride.
The gathering was intended as a celebration of community spirit, with families and friends enjoying live performances, food stalls, and cultural exhibitions. Instead, it ended in unimaginable tragedy.
Emotional Reactions from Leaders and Witnesses
Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim expressed his grief on social media, stating: “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.”
Canadian political figures, including Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre and New Democratic Party leader Jagmeet Singh, also offered their condolences. Singh, who attended the festival earlier in the day, shared an emotional video reflecting on the devastating contrast between the event’s initial joy and its tragic end.
“I just keep playing through my head such a beautiful celebration and such a family event — people coming together from all ages,” Singh said. “No event deserves violence. It is horrible.”
Eyewitnesses Describe the Horror
Yoseb Vardeh, co-owner of the Bao Buns food truck, witnessed the crash firsthand. He described how the SUV sped directly through the crowd at around 100 km/h (62 mph) immediately after the final live performance had ended.
“The driver went completely straight, right through the crowd,” Vardeh recounted. “I think he was going for maximum damage.” He further described seeing bodies trapped underneath food trucks and hearing the cries of family members searching for loved ones.
Vardeh added that the driver tried to flee on foot but was apprehended by courageous bystanders.
Investigation and Aftermath
Police and emergency crews remained on-site well into the night, working to help the victims and investigate the crash. Although the exact number of casualties has not yet been confirmed, the images and videos from the scene paint a picture of extensive loss and suffering. As Vancouver mourns this devastating loss, many are left asking how such a tragedy could occur at an event designed to promote community, culture, and togetherness.
