Police have a suspect in custody for allegedly driving into a crowd and killing 11 people. Source: MEGA
A man was arrested after allegedly driving into a crowd at a Filipino community festival in Vancouver, Canada, on Saturday, April 26. The tragic incident resulted in 11 deaths and several injuries.
Vancouver Police Interim Chief Steve Rai confirmed the updated death toll during a Sunday news conference. He also revealed that the man was already “known” to local authorities.
The Vancouver Police Department (VPD) announced on X that a 30-year-old man, whose identity remains undisclosed, allegedly drove into a crowd at the Lapu Lapu Festival around 8:14 p.m. local time on April 26, near East 43rd Avenue and Fraser Street.
The suspect was arrested at the scene, and the VPD’s Major Crime Section is now investigating the tragedy.
Chief Steve Rai shared that the suspect has “a significant history of interactions with police and healthcare professionals” related to mental health. He also confirmed that, while the motive remains unclear, the evidence does not suggest this was a terrorist act.
The suspect’s identity cannot be revealed yet, as charges have not been filed.
Source: @MarioNawfal/X
People had gathered in the streets to celebrate Lapu Lapu Day, a Filipino cultural event honoring national hero Lapu-Lapu.
Social media videos from the scene captured the chaotic aftermath as emergency responders rushed to help the injured.
Shortly after the incident, Chief Steve Rai confirmed that the suspect was known to local authorities in certain circumstances.
When asked if the suspect had interacted with police before the festival, Rai declined to comment. He reiterated that authorities were aware of past interactions but did not provide a specific timeline.
Rai told reporters, “It would be unfair and inappropriate to reveal any details that could taint the investigation. But we’ll have more information for you by morning.”
He later confirmed that bystanders apprehended the suspect before police arrived at the scene.
Rai explained, “From what I understand, the suspect was taken into custody by people in the crowd before the police arrived.”
