11 Dead After Man Drives Into Crowd at Vancouver Filipino Festival

A tragic event unfolded at the Lapu Lapu Festival in Vancouver on Saturday, April 26, when a man allegedly drove his car into a crowd, killing 11 people and injuring several others.

The Vancouver Police Department confirmed that the suspect, a 30-year-old man whose identity remains undisclosed, was detained at the scene near East 43rd Avenue and Fraser Street around 8:14 p.m. local time. Authorities revealed that the man has a significant history of interactions with police and mental health care professionals.

Interim Police Chief Steve Rai addressed the media on Sunday, confirming the number of fatalities and clarifying that evidence currently does not suggest the act was terrorism-related. “While I’m not prepared to speak about the potential motive, the evidence does not point to terrorism,” Rai stated. He added that the suspect was apprehended by members of the crowd before law enforcement arrived.

Eyewitnesses described a horrifying scene, with one festivalgoer, Abigail Andiso, recounting seeing bodies strewn across the street. Another witness, Dale Selipe, recalled a woman lying injured with a broken leg while bystanders tried to comfort her.

Food truck co-owner Yoseb Vardeh reported hearing an engine rev before seeing people struck by the speeding vehicle. He described the chaos as bodies were thrown across the street, noting the driver seemed to accelerate through the crowd at approximately 60 mph.

Local artist Kaya Ko called the event a “massacre” in a heartbreaking Instagram post, while Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed their condolences and support to the victims and their families.

Authorities have not yet filed charges against the suspect as the investigation, led by the VPD’s Major Crime Section, remains active. More updates are expected as officials gather further information.