On April 26, 2025, Vancouver’s Filipino community gathered to celebrate Lapu Lapu Day, a festival honoring the legendary Datu Lapu-Lapu, the Filipino chieftain who famously defeated the Spanish forces in the Battle of Mactan in 1521. The event, held near Fraser Street and East 43rd Avenue, was a vibrant celebration of Filipino culture, filled with music, food, and lively performances.

What should have been a joyous occasion quickly turned into a scene of horror. A 30-year-old man, later identified as Kai-Ji Adam Lo, drove an SUV into the crowd. This senseless act resulted in the deaths of 11 individuals, including a 5-year-old child—the youngest victim—and left many others seriously injured. The shock and grief from this tragedy reverberated throughout the community.

Witnesses described scenes of chaos and horror as bodies and debris were scattered across the street. This incident occurred shortly after the headline performance by Filipino-American artist apl.de.ap of the Black Eyed Peas, who expressed his heartbreak on social media.

The suspect, Kai-Ji Adam Lo, was quickly apprehended by bystanders and later arrested by the police. He faces multiple charges of second-degree murder. While authorities have ruled out terrorism as a motive, and have found no evidence of political or religious motivations, there has been a concerning amount of speculation surrounding the incident.

I appeal to everyone to avoid jumping to conclusions and fueling speculation that this tragedy was an act of racial hatred. The authorities are conducting a thorough investigation, and we must allow them to determine the true cause behind this devastating event. Speculating about the motives without facts only serves to divide us at a time when we should be uniting in support of the victims and their families.

In the wake of this devastating tragedy, Vancouver’s Mayor Ken Sim and interim Police Chief Steve Rai have expressed their condolences and pledged a thorough investigation into the incident. The Filipino community and the broader Vancouver community have come together to mourn the victims and offer support to the affected families.

As we reflect on this tragedy, I feel nothing but sorrow for the victims and their families. The senseless loss of life is a stark reminder of how fragile peace can be. My thoughts are with the families of the victims, and I stand in solidarity with the Filipino community in Vancouver as they grieve. My deepest sympathy goes to all those affected by this terrible event, and I hope we can move forward with compassion and unity.