Canadian authorities arrested a man on Saturday after a vehicle rammed into a street party in Vancouver, killing several people.
The incident occurred around 8:00 p.m. local time (0300 GMT Sunday) in the Sunset neighborhood of Vancouver, where members of the Filipino community had gathered to celebrate Lapu Lapu Day. The festival honors the 16th-century Filipino anti-colonial leader, coinciding this year with the weekend before Canada’s national elections.
Vancouver police arrested a 30-year-old local man at the scene, who was identified as the sole suspect in the incident. Authorities stated that the driver was known to police, and he acted alone.
Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed his devastation over the tragedy, offering condolences to the victims, their families, the Filipino Canadian community, and all residents of Vancouver. “We are all mourning with you,” he posted on social media.
Police confirmed that multiple fatalities and injuries resulted from the attack. Disturbing footage posted online showed a black SUV with a damaged hood, parked in a street littered with debris. First responders were seen tending to injured individuals.
Local security guard Jen Idaba-Castaneto, who witnessed the scene, described the chaos: “There were bodies everywhere. It was hard to know who to help.”
British Columbia Premier David Eby also expressed shock, while Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim extended his support to those affected and the Filipino community in the city during this challenging time.
**A Festive Day Turns Tragic**
The event, which featured a parade, a film screening, dance performances, and a concert with two Black Eyed Peas members, celebrated Lapu Lapu Day, a significant holiday in the Philippines marking the victory of Indigenous leader Lapulapu over Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan in 1521.
This incident echoes the tragic event in 2021 when Canadian Nathaniel Veltman was sentenced to life in prison for running down a Muslim family in Ontario, a case that linked white supremacy to terrorism in Canada.
With the Canadian election set for Monday, the country is already dealing with heightened tensions, with candidates focusing on issues like rising living costs and trade policies, particularly concerning U.S. tariffs.
