VANCOUVER, British Columbia In a shocking turn of events, a 30-year-old man has been charged with multiple counts of murder following a devastating incident at a Filipino heritage festival in Vancouver. The accused, identified as Kai-Ji Adam Lo, faces eight counts of second-degree murder after allegedly driving his black Audi SUV into a crowd of festival-goers, resulting in the deaths of 11 individuals. This tragic event unfolded as hundreds gathered in the city to pay tribute to the victims through vigils, while Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney visited the scene on the eve of a crucial federal election.

The incident occurred just after 8 p.m. on Saturday, when the SUV barreled down a closed street where the Lapu Lapu Day festival was taking place, striking attendees, some of whom were as young as five years old and others up to age 65. In addition to the fatalities, approximately two dozen people sustained injuries, with several in critical condition. By Sunday evening, authorities had yet to release the names of the victims, leaving families and friends in anguish.

Damienne Darby, a spokesperson for British Columbia prosecutors, confirmed Lo's virtual court appearance on Sunday shortly after his arrest at the scene. Although Lo has not yet entered a plea, investigators have ruled out terrorism as a motive for this horrific act. They noted that the suspect has a documented history of mental health issues, raising questions about his state of mind at the time of the incident. Despite this information, no attorney representing Lo was available in online court records, and efforts to reach one were unsuccessful.

The scene of the tragedy was described as chaotic and heartbreaking. Nathaly Nairn, who attended the festival with her 15-year-old daughter, recounted the terrifying moments when they witnessed the aftermath of the SUV's rampage. Something really dark happened last night, she said, tears streaming down her face as she laid flowers at one of the vigils. Another attendee, Emily Daniels, expressed disbelief at the tragedy, stating, Its sad. Really sad. I cant believe something like this could happen so close to home.

Vancouver's Interim Police Chief, Steve Rai, characterized the incident as the darkest day in Vancouvers history. While investigators continue to piece together the events that led to this tragedy, Rai highlighted Los significant history of interactions with police and health care professionals related to mental health, indicating that this may play a crucial role in understanding the motives behind the horrific actions.

Eyewitness accounts provided chilling details of the chaotic scene. Kris Pangilinan, who had set up a clothing booth at the festival, described how the SUV entered the area at a slow pace before accelerating into the crowd. He slammed on the gas, barreled through the crowd, he recalled, comparing the horrifying sight to a bowling ball hitting bowling pins. Bystanders were quick to act, apprehending Lo until police arrived, as video footage shared on social media captured the tense moment.

Prime Minister Carney, who canceled his campaign events to address the tragedy, expressed his heartfelt condolences to the victims' families. Last night families lost a sister, a brother, a mother, father, son or a daughter. Those families are living every family's nightmare, he stated. Carney, alongside British Columbia Premier David Eby and community leaders, participated in memorial activities to honor the lives lost in this shocking event.

In an emotional moment, Carney took to social media to share a photo of himself lighting a candle at a makeshift memorial, writing, In this incredibly difficult moment, we will comfort the grieving, care for one another, and unite in common purpose. This sentiment resonated deeply within the community, as the tragedy mirrored past incidents, such as a 2018 attack in Toronto when a driver used a vehicle to kill 10 pedestrians.

Witnesses described scenes of panic and fear, with many parents, like Carayn Nulada, instinctively shielding their children from harm. Nulada recounted pulling her grandchildren to safety as the SUV approached, while her daughter narrowly escaped injury. I saw people running, and my daughter was shaking, she said, as she anxiously awaited news about her brother, who was also injured in the attack.

James Cruzat, a Vancouver business owner who was present at the festival, described the chaos he witnessed. We saw people on the road crying, others were running, shouting, or even screaming, asking for help. It was horrific, he said. Vincent Reynon, a 17-year-old who was leaving the festival, likened the scene to something straight out of a horror movie or a nightmare, capturing the pervasive sense of shock and disbelief in the community.

The emotional impact of this tragedy extends beyond immediate victims, as parents like Adonis Quita faced the daunting reality of helping their children cope with the trauma. Quita, whose 9-year-old son had recently relocated from the Philippines, expressed concern about the long-term effects of such a harrowing experience on his child's adjustment to life in Canada.

Vancouver Mayor Kenneth Sim emphasized the need for community resilience in the wake of this calamity. I know many of us are fearful and feel uneasy, he acknowledged. But Vancouver is still a safe city. This sentiment resonated strongly with the citys large Filipino community, which comprises over 38,600 residents and represents nearly 6% of Vancouver's population. Lapu Lapu Day, commemorating a national hero who resisted colonization, served as a celebration of Filipino culture and identity, but the tragedy cast a shadow over the festivities.

In a show of solidarity, Premier Eby urged the community to channel their grief into support for those affected by the tragedy. He affirmed the deep connections that bind the diverse population of British Columbia, stating, You cant go to a place that delivers and not meet a member of that community. In light of this incident, the Philippines' President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. expressed his sympathy and confirmed that the Philippine Consulate General in Vancouver is closely coordinating with Canadian authorities to ensure a thorough investigation and support for the victims and their families. As the community grapples with this tragedy, one thing is clear: the spirit of resilience will prevail.