Archdiocese of Vancouver/ YouTube screenshot
CV NEWS FEED // After a driver rammed his SUV into a Filipino street festival on April 26, killing 11 people, including a 5-year-old, Archbishop J. Michael Miller, apostolic administrator of the Archdiocese of Vancouver, called for prayers for the victims of the tragedy.
“I was deeply saddened to hear of the tragic events that took place yesterday during the Lapu-Lapu Day celebration in Vancouver,” he wrote. “What should have been a joyful gathering to honour Filipino heritage has been overshadowed by sorrow and shock.”
The archbishop added that the Filipino community is a vibrant, faith-filled part of the archdiocese.
“In moments like this, your spirit of hope, resilience, and deep trust in God’s providence shines even amid darkness. I encourage all of us to come together in prayer, asking the Lord to pour out his mercy upon those affected and to grant strength to all who are carrying heavy hearts,” he added. “May our Blessed Mother intercede for us, bringing comfort and healing to Vancouver.”
Reuters reported that police have arrested and charged 30-year-old Kai-Ji Adam Lo with eight counts of second-degree murder. Other charges are anticipated.
Lo appeared in court on April 27 and has not yet entered a plea.
Police state that there is no evidence of terrorism, though Lo had a “‘significant history’ of interactions with authorities involving mental health,” according to Reuters.
In addition to the 11 deaths, two dozen were injured, the outlet reported.
The Filipino festival celebrated Datu Lapu-Lapu, a Filipino national hero, and filled multiple blocks with Filipino food, cultural performances, and displays. April 27 was officially designated as Lapu-Lapu Day in British Columbia in 2023.
In an interview with Postmedia that Reuters cited, eyewitness Yoseb Vardeh, co-owner of food truck Bao Buns, described the attack.
“I didn’t get to see the driver, all I heard was an engine rev,” he said. “I got outside my food truck, I looked down the road and there’s just bodies everywhere. He went through the whole block, he went straight down the middle.”
Mable Elmore, a member of the British Columbia Legislative Assembly who attended the event, said the crash happened after a concert featuring Filipino-American rapper Apl.de.ap of the Black Eyed Peas.
“”Everybody was happy and getting ready to go. And that’s when, that’s when the incident happened,” Elmore said. “We are in incredible pain. We will come together out of this catastrophe through the support and the love from the broad community.”
St. Mary’s Church in Vancouver, the parish nearest to the site of the crash, published a statement after the tragedy, the Catholic Register reported. The parish’s congregation is 80% Filipino.
“Our heart goes out to those families who have lost their loved ones or are injured. May the Lord who is merciful and compassionate be with them. We assure our prayers for all affected,” the statement reads. “May the peace of Risen Christ reign in the hearts of all and may the Divine Mercy wipe away the hatred from the hearts of all.”
Father Joseph De Chadarevian, OP, St. Mary’s pastor, addressed the tragedy in his homily at the 3 p.m. Tagalog Mass on Sunday, April 27. He urged his congregation to embrace mercy and “turn to Mama Mary, the source of our comfort.”
