A tragic incident unfolded Saturday night in Vancouver, Canada, when a 30-year-old driver plowed an SUV into a crowd gathered for a Filipino heritage event, killing at least nine people and injuring many others.
The attack occurred during the Lapu Lapu Day festival, a street celebration honoring Filipino history and culture.
Witnesses described scenes of panic and devastation as the black vehicle tore through the crowd, leaving bodies and debris scattered along the road. Horrifying video footage showed bystanders screaming and emergency responders performing CPR, with one voice shouting, “There’s a baby under the truck.”
The driver, a Vancouver resident known to police under unspecified “circumstances,” is in custody. While police have not ruled out any motives, they currently believe the attack is not linked to terrorism. Vancouver Interim Police Chief Steve Rai stated that investigators are considering “everything on the table.”
Mayor Ken Sim and Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre both expressed shock and condolences to the victims and the Filipino community. Authorities are urging witnesses or anyone with footage to come forward as the investigation continues.