Shock, grief among Filipinos in Vancouver after 11 killed in Lapu Lapu festival tragedy

Vancouver police secure the scene after a car drove into a crowd at the Lapu Lapu Festival in Vancouver, British Columbia, Saturday April 26, 2025. (Rich Lam/The Canadian Press via AP)

VANCOUVER – The Filipino community in Vancouver, one of the largest racial groups in Canada, is reeling over the deaths of several community members after the festive Lapu Lapu Day street party turned tragic Saturday evening.

At least 11 people were killed and more than 20 injured after a car plowed into the Filipino heritage festival crowd, according to the Vancouver Police Department (VPD).

The VPD ruled out terrorism, saying the suspect, who drove into a large crowd along East 43rd Avenue and Fraser Street, has a history of mental health issues.

Evidence markers and Vancouver Police vehicles sit at a scene after a driver killed multiple people Saturday during a Filipino community festival Sunday, April 27, 2025, in Vancouver, British Columbia. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

“It is the darkest day in Vancouver’s history,” VPD Interim Chief Steve Rai told a news conference.

“The person we have in custody does have a significant history of interactions with police and health care professionals related to mental health,” he said.

Videos posted on social media showed first responders attending to children and the elderly. Shoes, slippers and other personal belongings were scattered on the street lined with food trucks.

‘Bodies on the street’

“There were bodies on the street. They were run over. Some were already dead on the spot,” said Andiso.

Dale Selipe, who was with Andiso, recounted the scene of carnage: “There was a lady with her eyes staring up, one of her legs was already broken. One person was holding her hand trying to comfort her.”

Esperanza Bermudez, center, who lives across the street from the scene, is comforted by friends Ronnie Claire, right, and Manjit Claire, the morning after a driver killed multiple people during a Filipino community festival Sunday, April 27, 2025, in Vancouver, British Columbia. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Kris Pangilinan, who brought his pop-up clothing and lifestyle booth to the festival, saw the vehicle enter past the barricade slowly before the driver slammed on the gas in an area that was packed with people after a concert. He said hearing the sounds of bodies hitting the vehicle will never leave his mind.

“He sideswiped someone on his right side and I was like, ‘Oh, yo yo.’ And then he slammed on the gas,” he said. “And the sound of the acceleration, it sounds like an F1 car about to start a race.

Vancouver Police survey the scene after a driver killed multiple people Saturday during a Filipino community festival Sunday, April 27, 2025, in Vancouver, British Columbia. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

“He slammed on the gas, barreled through the crowd. And all I can remember is seeing bodies flying up in the air higher than the food trucks themselves and landing on the ground and people yelling and screaming. It looked like a bowling ball hitting bowling pins and all the pins are flying into the air.”

The Philippine Consulate General in Vancouver has expressed “deep concern” and sympathies to the victims of the tragedy.

“We pray that our community stays strong and resilient, imbued with the spirit of bayanihan during this difficult time,” the Consulate said in a statement.

The Consulate has provided a hotline to assist Filipino nationals affected by the tragedy.

Lapu Lapu Day celebrates Datu Lapu-Lapu, an Indigenous chieftain who stood up to Spanish explorers who came to the Philippines in the 16th century.

Held for the second straight year, the event featured musical performances, food trucks, kiosks and street dancing.

Vancouver had more than 38,600 residents of Filipino heritage in 2021, representing 5.9 percent of the city’s total population, according to Statistics Canada, the agency that conducts the national census.

A victim covered with a cloth lies near a food truck after a car drove into a crowd at the Lapu Lapu Festival in Vancouver, British Columbia, Saturday April 26, 2025. (Rich Lam/The Canadian Press via AP)

Filipino BC, the event’s main organizer, said it is focused on supporting the community, especially those affected.

“We are still finding the words to express the deep heartbreak brought on by this senseless tragedy. We are devastated for the families and victims,” Filipino BC said in a statement.

Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim said he was “shocked and deeply saddened by the horrific incident.” “Our thoughts are with all those affected and with Vancouver’s Filipino community during this incredibly difficult time,” he said.

The Bagong Alyansang Makabayan and Migrante in BC, in a joint statement, described the incident as “a significant loss for the Filipino community, on a day intended to be festive” and said it highlights the community’s resilience.

The groups called on the Filipino community to “draw on this resilience and compassion for one another to unite and help the victims and their families.”

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims. We are grieving with them  and with all our kababayan during this most difficult time even as we all continue to seek answers to why this tragedy happened,” they added.

The local chapter of the University of the Philippines Alumni Association said it “stands with every member of the community – every pamilya, kaibigan and kababayan – in the wake of this devastating tragedy, especially those who have lost loved ones.”

There are 172,915 Filipinos in BC, according to Statistics Canada’s 2021 Census. (With AP report)