Vancouver Festival Tragedy: 11 People Killed as SUV Plows Into Crowd

What was meant to be a celebration of Filipino culture in Vancouver turned into a devastating tragedy on Saturday night.

What Happened at the Lapu-Lapu Day Festival?

Shortly after 8 p.m., a black SUV plowed through a crowd near East 41st Avenue and Fraser Street, as the Lapu-Lapu Day Block Party was winding down. The festival had drawn up to 100,000 attendees over the course of the day.

Vancouver police confirmed that 11 people died and more than 20 others were injured. They arrested a 30-year-old Vancouver man at the scene.

Interim Vancouver Police Chief Steve Rai called it the “darkest day in our city’s history.”

“The actions of a single person shattered our collective sense of safety,” Rai said. “Many lives have been impacted forever.”

Police Investigation and Suspect Details

Rai confirmed that the suspect has a history of mental health issues and previous interactions with police. Although authorities have not finalized charges, Vancouver police confirmed that he faces eight counts of murder as of Sunday.

Police stressed that they did not detect any prior threat against the Filipino community or the event itself. They also ruled out terrorism as a motive.

The vehicle, described as an Audi SUV, entered from the west on East 43rd Avenue and drove through an enclosed area packed with festival-goers.

Rai said the death toll could rise further in the coming days.

Eyewitnesses Describe Chaos: “It Was Like a War Zone”

Festival attendee Kris Pangilinan, a journalist from Toronto, described the horrifying moment when the SUV accelerated through the crowd.

“The driver just slammed the pedal down and rammed into hundreds of people,” he said.
“It was like a bowling ball hitting all the pins.”

Another witness, Joshua Polintan, said he was outraged and devastated.

“I don’t know if it was a hate crime … but it was just wrong.”

Local business owner James Cruzat recalled hearing a revving engine, followed by a loud bang and scenes of people crying and screaming for help.

Social media videos showed the aftermath, with emergency crews tending to injured people lying on the ground.

Community and Leaders Respond

Filipino B.C., the event organizer, posted a heartfelt statement urging community members to seek support.

“We are devastated for the families and victims,” they said, providing a 24/7 crisis line at 1-800-563-0808.

The tragedy drew swift reactions from political leaders:

Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed heartbreak, calling it a “devastating and horrific event.”
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, who visited the festival just minutes before the attack, said, “There are no words for the pain I feel thinking about the families.”
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre described the tragedy as a “senseless attack” and thanked first responders.
B.C. Premier David Eby posted he was “heartbroken” over the lives lost.
Vancouver South MP Harjit Sajjan visited the scene, showing support for a community he once served as a police officer.

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…
— Jagmeet Singh (@theJagmeetSingh) April 27, 2025

Even King Charles III and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. sent messages of sympathy to the victims’ families.

About Lapu-Lapu Day and the Filipino Community in B.C.

Lapu-Lapu Day honors a Filipino hero who resisted Spanish colonization in the 16th century.

Saturday’s event marked only the second annual celebration in Vancouver, highlighting the Filipino community’s enduring spirit of bayanihan — a collective effort and support system.

The Filipino-Canadian community is the third-largest cultural group in British Columbia, making up 3.5 percent of the province’s population, according to Statistics Canada.

Vancouver Sun Run to Proceed

Despite the tragedy, police confirmed that the Vancouver Sun Run — one of North America’s largest 10K races — will go ahead Sunday.

Chief Rai assured participants that security will be fully deployed and the event will proceed as planned.

More…