A joyous celebration of Filipino heritage turned into a scene of horror on Saturday, April 26, 2025, when a 30-year-old Vancouver man deliberately drove a black SUV into a crowd at the Lapu Lapu Day Festival in Vancouver’s Sunset neighborhood, killing nine people and injuring several others.

The incident, which occurred shortly after 8:00 p.m. near East 41st Avenue and Fraser Street, has left the Filipino Canadian community and the city reeling, prompting an outpouring of grief and condemnation from leaders worldwide, including Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

The Attack: A Festival Marred by Violence

The Lapu Lapu Day Festival, an annual event organized by Filipino BC, celebrates the legacy of Datu Lapu-Lapu, a 16th-century Filipino chieftain who defeated Spanish forces led by Ferdinand Magellan in the Battle of Mactan.

Recognized officially by British Columbia since 2023, the festival draws thousands for a multi-block street party featuring Filipino food, traditional dances, live performances, and cultural displays.

This year’s event, attended by up to 100,000 people, included a parade, a film screening, and a concert featuring Filipino-American rapper Apl.de.ap of the Black Eyed Peas.

As the festival was winding down, a black SUV barreled through the crowd at high speed, striking revelers and crashing into food trucks.

Witnesses described a chaotic scene, with bodies strewn across the street and screams filling the air.

Vancouver Coastal Health declared a “code orange” mass casualty event, with emergency services rushing victims to multiple hospitals. The Vancouver Police Department (VPD) confirmed nine fatalities and multiple injuries, though exact numbers for the injured remain unclear as families are still being notified.

The Suspect: Known to Police, Motive Unclear

The suspect, a 30-year-old Vancouver resident, was apprehended at the scene by festival-goers who detained him until police arrived. Acting VPD Chief Steve Rai noted the suspect was “known to police in certain circumstances,” though he declined to elaborate on whether the individual had a criminal record.

A viral video circulating on social media, reported by The Times of India, showed the suspect appearing dazed and apologizing to an enraged crowd, but its authenticity remains unverified.

The VPD has stated they are “confident” the incident was not an act of terrorism, though they believe the attack was deliberate.

Authorities are investigating whether mental health issues may have contributed, with some X posts suggesting the suspect had a history of mental health challenges, though this remains unconfirmed by official sources.

Speculation about the suspect’s race or ethnicity has surfaced online, with some posts describing him as an “Asian man” or claiming Filipino or Chinese descent, but no credible evidence supports these assertions. One unverified X post by user

The motive remains under investigation by the VPD’s Major Crime Section. While some community members, like Vancouver City Councillor Peter Fry, told BBC News they do not believe the Filipino community was specifically targeted, the attack’s occurrence at a Filipino cultural event has raised questions about possible bias.

Eyewitness Joshua Polintan expressed anger to CBC News, questioning whether it was a hate crime but emphasizing the act was “just wrong.”

Philippine President’s Response and Global Condolences

Philippine President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. expressed profound grief over the tragedy, stating he was “completely shattered” by the incident. In a statement reported by Reuters, Marcos said, “On behalf of the Philippine government and the Filipino people, Liza and I would like to express our deepest sympathies to the families of the victims and to the strong and thriving Filipino community in Canada.”

He noted that the Philippine Consulate General in Vancouver is coordinating with Canadian authorities to ensure a thorough investigation and provide support to victims’ families.

Philippine senators, including Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero and Senator Grace Poe, also condemned the attack, urging swift justice and assistance for affected Filipinos.

The tragedy, occurring two days before Canada’s federal election, prompted Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to pause campaign events, expressing devastation on X: “I offer my deepest condolences to the loved ones of those killed and injured, to the Filipino Canadian community, and to everyone in Vancouver.”

Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim, British Columbia Premier David Eby, and other leaders echoed similar sentiments. King Charles, as Canada’s monarch, issued a statement via the Royal Family’s X account, saying he and Queen Camilla were “profoundly saddened” and sending “deepest possible sympathy” to those affected.