RAFU WIRE SERVICE AND STAFF REPORTS

A deadly attack on a Filipino heritage festival in Vancouver, British Columbia on April 26 has horrified AAPI communities in North America and caused police to take precautions locally.

According to The Seattle Times, a man driving a black Audi SUV plowed into a crowd of hundreds of people at the Lapu Lapu Day Festival, killing 11 people ranging in age from 5 to 65 and injuring dozens of others.

Vancouver Interim Police Chief Steve Rai said at a news conference April 27 that some of the victims were seriously injured and that the number of dead could rise in the coming days or weeks.

“It is the darkest day in Vancouver’s history,” Rai said.

A 30-year-old Vancouver man was arrested at the scene by Vancouver police after bystanders and witnesses intervened to detain him.

The British Columbia Prosecution Service has charged Kai-Ji Adam Lo with eight counts of second-degree murder. Lo has appeared in court and remains in custody. The charge assessment is ongoing and further charges are anticipated.

Canadian authorities ruled out terrorism, saying that Lo has a “a significant history of interactions with police and health care professionals related to mental health.”

Referring to the suspect, Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim said in a news conference that he would continue pushing for mandatory care — intervention that requires people to receive mental health or substance use treatment without their consent.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and British Columbia Premier David Eby also expressed condolences. Carney lit a candle at a makeshift memorial near the scene of the attack.

Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell said in a statement, “I speak for all Seattleites when I express that our hearts are with the victims, survivors, and all those affected by the appalling vehicle attack in Vancouver, British Columbia.”

Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) said, “This is absolutely heartbreaking. My thoughts are with the Filipino communities in Vancouver and beyond as they mourn this horrible tragedy. We must all stand together to reject hate and violence in all forms.”

The Vancouver Police Department has established a 24-hour assistance center at the Douglas Park Community Centre for anyone who has not been able to contact a friend or family member. Some of the victims remain unidentified.

Witnesses who have not yet come forward are asked to contact the VPD’s Homicide Unit and investigators are asking the public for images or video of the incident.

Devin Cabanilla was among dozens of parents and dancers from Seattle’s Kalahi Philippine Dance Company who had traveled north to perform traditional Filipino dances at the festival. “The amount of kids and elderly people there was extremely high,” he told The Seattle Times. “And (how) jarring to think how many people who were around me might be gone.”

Kris Pangilinan, who brought his pop-up clothing and lifestyle booth to the festival, told The Associated Press he saw the vehicle go past a barricade slowly, before the driver slammed on the gas in an area filled with people after a concert. He said he will never forget the sounds of bodies hitting the vehicle.

Filipino American comedian Jo Koy posted, “I am heartbroken to hear what took place at the Vancouver Filipino festival. This is supposed to be an event that honors and celebrates our beautiful culture, and now we’re mourning the loss of 11 lives that were taken too soon. My heart goes out to everyone that was affected by this horrific event. Mahal kita (I love you).”

Lapu Lapu is a Filipino national hero who fought against Spanish colonization in the 1500s.

Citing “sufficient resources,” the LAPD decided to conduct increased patrolling around the 16th annual Thai New Songkran Festival in East Hollywood on April 27.

Asked if the increased patrolling was in response to the violence up north, Officer Rosario Cervantes told City News Service: “We are aware of Vancouver.”

The Thai festival was held all day on Hollywood Boulevard, from Western Avenue to Normandie Avenue. A parade began at 8 a.m., and the festival concluded at 10 p.m.

Extra barriers were added to block vehicles from entering the festival area, KTLA5 reported.

The Thai festival featured live music, Muay Thai boxing demonstrations, religious ceremonies, Thai food, the Miss Songkran USA Beauty Pageant, and a health fair.

In response to the attack, Los Angeles Urban Policy Roundtable President Earl Ofari Hutchinson called on the LAPD to increase patrols in L.A.’s Filipinotown.

In a video posted on Facebook, Hutchinson expressed concern that Filipinotown might be targeted by “copycats.”

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