Vancouver Police arrested a 30-year-old man at the scene of a devastating crash that left nine people dead and “multiple others injured” during the Lapu Lapu Festival on Saturday, April 26th.
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“As of now, we can confirm nine people have died after a man drove through a crowd at last night’s Lapu Lapu Festival. Our thoughts are with all those affected by this tragic incident,” the Vancouver Police Department said on Twitter.
UPDATE: As of now, we can confirm nine people have died after a man drove through a crowd at last night’s Lapu Lapu Festival. Our thoughts are with all those affected by this tragic incident.
— Vancouver Police (@VancouverPD) April 27, 2025
Authorities initially reported a “mass casualty incident at a neighborhood block party” near East 43rd Avenue and Fraser Street around 8:14 p.m. “A 30-year-old suspect, a Vancouver man, was arrested at the scene,” police confirmed. The investigation is ongoing, led by the Major Crime Section.
Mayor Ken Sim shared, “I am shocked and deeply saddened by the horrific incident at today’s Lapu Lapu Day event,” adding, “Our thoughts are with all those affected and with Vancouver’s Filipino community during this incredibly difficult time.”
Prime Minister Mark Carney said he was “devastated to hear about the horrific events at the Lapu Lapu festival in Vancouver,” offering “deepest condolences to the loved ones of those killed and injured, to the Filipino Canadian community, and to everyone in Vancouver.”
Witness Yoseb Vardeh told BBC the car drove “completely straight, right through the crowd” at about 60 mph, adding, “I think he was going for maximum damage.”
Artist Kaya Ko called it a “massacre,” writing, “Spirit guide these souls home and guide our people back to our hearts.”
