| Published April 27, 2025
Vancouver’s Lapu-Lapu Day Festival, a celebration of Filipino heritage, took a tragic and horrifying turn. What was meant to be a joyous occasion quickly became a scene of chaos and heartbreak when a 30-year-old man, driving a black SUV, deliberately rammed the vehicle into a crowd of festival-goers. At least nine people were killed, and over 20 others were injured in the attack.
Vancouver police secure the scene after a car drove into a crowd at the Lapu Lapu Festival in Vancouver on Saturday April 26, 2025
The Incident
Around 8:00 PM, the SUV raced through a narrow street in South Vancouver, which had been lined with food trucks and filled with families, children, and festival attendees. Witnesses described the moment as pure terror as they watched people being hit and thrown into the air by the force of the vehicle.
Video footage from the scene showed a young man in a black hoodie standing near a chain-link fence, surrounded by bystanders and security guards. As the crowd screamed at him, he reportedly said, “I’m sorry,” holding his hand to his head. The Associated Press reported the suspect’s apology in the aftermath of the attack.
The suspect, an unnamed 30-year-old man, was quickly apprehended by police at the scene. Vancouver’s interim police chief, Steve Rai, confirmed the suspect was “known to police in certain circumstances,” but ruled out terrorism as a motive.
The Aftermath
The narrow street, once filled with excitement and joy, transformed into a makeshift triage center as bystanders rushed to help the injured. One passerby, Carayn Nulada, described shielding her grandchildren from the SUV and witnessing her daughter narrowly escaping injury:
“The car hit her arm and she fell down, but she got up, looking for us, because she is scared,” Nulada recalled. “I saw people running and my daughter was shaking.”
Another witness, James Cruzat, who was attending the festival, described hearing the car rev its engine before a loud bang echoed through the area. “We saw people on the road crying, others were running, shouting, or even screaming, asking for help,” Cruzat said. “We found some bodies on the ground. Others were lifeless, some were injured.”
19-year-old Nic Magtajas, who was present at the event, described the terrifying impact:
“I saw a bunch of people go over, go high up from the impact of hitting the car.”
As emergency services arrived, paramedics took over the efforts to tend to the injured while local authorities continued their investigation. The horror that unfolded at the festival left the community in shock and grief.
This black SUV plowed through a crowd of dozens of festivalgoers on a street in Vancouver, Canada killing many
Condolences Pour In
In the wake of the tragedy, leaders from across Vancouver, Canada, and the Filipino community expressed their heartfelt condolences to the victims’ families and all those affected. The Filipino-Canadian community, which makes up a significant portion of Vancouver’s population, has been left devastated by the loss of life.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney offered his sympathies, stating:
“We stand in sorrow with the families and individuals who have been impacted by this horrific event. Our hearts go out to all who have been affected.”
Philippine Ambassador to Canada [Name] also sent his condolences:
“The Philippine community in Canada grieves with the victims and their families. We offer our thoughts and prayers as they begin their journey toward healing.”
Moving Forward
As Vancouver and the broader Filipino community mourn, police continue to investigate the suspect’s motive. While terrorism has been ruled out, the police have emphasized the importance of understanding the full circumstances behind the attack.
The Lapu-Lapu Festival, which celebrates the heritage and history of the Filipino community, will undoubtedly continue to hold special meaning, even in the face of such an overwhelming tragedy. The spirit of resilience and community, evident in the immediate actions of bystanders and first responders, serves as a testament to the strength of the people affected.
On behalf of Newscats.Org, I would like to express my deepest sympathies for the heartbreaking tragedy that occurred during the Vancouver Lapu-Lapu Festival.
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