Suspect charged with murder in Vancouver festival attack

OTTAWA -- The suspect in Saturday night's deadly attack at Vancouver's Lapu Lapu Day festival has been charged with murder, police said Sunday.

The suspect, identified as 30-year-old Kai-Ji Adam Lo, has been charged with eight counts of second-degree murder. Additional charges are anticipated as the investigation continues, said the police.

A total of 11 people, ranging in age from 5 to 65, have been confirmed dead after an SUV was driven into the crowd celebrating Lapu Lapu Day, an annual event for the Filipino community.

The Vancouver police said in a news conference that the number of dead could rise as dozens more are injured, some seriously.

Interim Vancouver Police Chief Steve Rai said the driver does have a significant history of interactions with police and health-care professionals related to mental health.

The tragedy happened shortly after 8 p.m. Saturday (0300 GMT Sunday) near East 43rd Avenue and Fraser Street where the Lapu Lapu Day Block Party was going on.

Named after a Filipino indigenous leader who fought against Spanish colonization in the 16th century, Lapu Lapu Day was officially recognized by the province of British Columbia in 2023 and is widely celebrated by the Filipino community in the province, where Vancouver is the largest city.