Vancouver Police Interim Chief Steve Rai described the tragedy as “the darkest day in Vancouver’s history” during a news conference. The incident unfolded shortly after 8 p.m. along a narrow street lined with food trucks in South Vancouver. Video footage from the scene showed the dead and injured scattered along the street, with the SUV’s front end visibly damaged.
Witnesses recounted harrowing scenes. Vendor Kris Pangilinan, who had a pop-up booth at the festival, said he saw the vehicle pass a barricade slowly before accelerating into the dense crowd. “It sounded like an F1 car starting a race,” he recalled. “Bodies were flying higher than the food trucks.” Pangilinan compared the scene to bowling pins being struck down.
The 30-year-old suspect was initially apprehended by bystanders before police arrived. A widely circulated video shows the man, wearing a black hoodie, pinned against a fence as onlookers shouted at him. Police have confirmed the suspect acted alone and is known to authorities.
Prime Minister Mark Carney canceled a scheduled campaign event following the attack, offering his condolences through an emotional statement. “Last night, families lost loved ones — a sister, a brother, a mother, father, son, or daughter,” he said, addressing the Filipino Canadian community and others impacted.
The attack evoked memories of a 2018 van assault in Toronto, where 10 pedestrians were killed by a man citing extremist motivations.
Eyewitnesses described desperate attempts to avoid the oncoming SUV. Carayn Nulada said she shielded her grandchildren with her body while her daughter narrowly escaped injury. Nulada later sought news of her brother at Vancouver General Hospital, where he was identified by his wedding ring after suffering multiple fractures.
James Cruzat, a local business owner, described hearing the SUV’s engine rev before the vehicle plowed through the crowd, leaving victims crying out for help. Nic Magtajas, 19, said he saw people thrown high into the air upon impact.
Vancouver Mayor Kenneth Sim expressed his condolences, promising further updates. “I am shocked and deeply saddened by the horrific incident,” he said. “Our thoughts are with those affected and with Vancouver’s Filipino community during this incredibly difficult time.”
The festival was held to honor Lapu-Lapu, a national hero of the Philippines known for resisting Spanish colonization. Vancouver’s Filipino population, numbering over 38,600 according to the 2021 census, gathered to celebrate their heritage during the second annual event.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. also conveyed his sympathies, stating that the Philippine Consulate General in Vancouver is coordinating with Canadian authorities to assist victims and ensure a thorough investigation.
Witness Kris Pangilinan reflected on the tragedy: “It’s hard to believe someone could hold malice against the Filipino people.
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