VANCOUVER: Canadian prosecutors have charged a 30-year-old Vancouver resident with homicide for killing at the very least 11 folks aged between 5 and 65 and injuring dozens after he rammed an SUV through a crowd at a Filipino group competition within the western Canadian metropolis, police mentioned on Sunday (Apr 27).
The person, Kai-Ji Adam Lo, was charged with eight counts of second-degree homicide by prosecutors in British Columbia and “additional fees are anticipated”, in keeping with a submit on X by the Vancouver Police.
Lo appeared in courtroom on Sunday, hours after police arrested him on the scene of the incident on Saturday night. Court docket paperwork seen by Reuters didn’t present a plea.
Authorities described Lo as having had a “important historical past” of interactions with authorities involving psychological well being. They mentioned there was no proof of terrorism.
“That is the darkest day in our metropolis’s historical past,” Vancouver Interim Chief Constable Steve Rai instructed reporters at a Sunday press convention.
Police mentioned two dozen folks had been injured, some critically, and warned that the dying toll might rise in coming days and weeks. As of Sunday afternoon, Rai mentioned he didn’t consider there have been any ongoing threats to the group.
Greater than 100 law enforcement officials joined the investigation, as native officers labored with provincial and federal authorities to offer assist providers. Messages of condolence and assist got here from throughout the globe.
“The group will really feel this for a very long time,” RJ Aquino, chair of the group advocacy group Filipino BC, instructed reporters. “We need to inform everyone that we’re grieving. We need to inform everyone that we see and listen to the assist from world wide at this level.”
The assault on Saturday night occurred two days earlier than Canada’s federal election on Monday. A spokesperson for Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney mentioned he can be touring to Vancouver on Sunday.
Carney’s marketing campaign actions had been delayed on Sunday morning however he resumed campaigning after making an announcement during which he expressed his condolences to the nation’s Filipino group.
“Final evening, households misplaced a sister, a brother, a mom, a father, a son or a daughter. These households live each household’s nightmare,” he instructed reporters in Hamilton, Ontario.
“I be part of all Canadians in mourning with you. I do know that Canadians are united with you,” he mentioned.
