Witnesses declared that the man led at full speed on the avenue where the Lapu Lapu festival was held, organized by the Canadian Filipino community, leaving dozens of wounded and several dead.
The incident, as detailed by the Local Police, was recorded at 8:14 p.m. on Saturday, April 26 (7.14 pm in Guatemala), when the festival was to end and dozens of attendees concentrated on the avenue.
So far, Canadian authorities have reported the death of 11 people, a figure that could be raised in the next few hours due to the serious health state of several of the people who were rammed by the vehicle.
In the place a man of approximately 30 years was arrested, who, as detailed by the police authorities, suffers mental health problems and already had a history.
The police chief Steve Rai said that the attack was not a terrorist event, as was speculated on social networks, but an action committed by a person who acted alone, although he did not report on the reason for the attack.
At a press conference, the police chief also explained that the suspect is already being prosecuted by the respective authorities.
Moments of the attack in Vancouver
Witnesses reported to the Canadian public radio that the festival was in its closing phase, and that while the community took the opportunity to buy food and enjoy the last minutes, a driver accelerated and ran over the passers -by who participated in the festival, who threw and passed them.
One of the published videos shows the moment when the driver stops after running over passersby and presents the first images of the victims.
Another of the videos shows how, on the avenue, several people were injured. While the recording progresses, several people are appreciated in serious condition and the terror and confusion between those present are perceived. The images also show how family and friends of the victims try to provide first aid, while the authorities arrive at the place.
In addition, users who were at the time of the event shared photographs that show the damage to the vehicle after running over dozens of people.
The screams and despair of the attendees were recorded in video, reflection of the magnitude and horror of the fact.
Social network users also shared the moment of the arrest of the suspect, whose name has not been revealed by the Canadian authorities.
In the video broadcast on X, several people are heard shouting for their actions, which initially left at least nine dead in the place and whose figure rose to 11 hours later.
Vancouver Police functions, Steve Rai, stressed that it was those themselves at the Lapu Lapu festival who managed to retain the alleged aggressor until the arrival of the authorities.
Authorities rule out active threat after attack in Vancouver
After the attack at the Lapu Lapu Festival in Vancouver, the Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, ruled out that there is “an active threat on Canadians” and explained that the attacker “acted alone.”
For his part, Vancouver police chief Steve Rai reported that the detainee was already known by the authorities. “We have knowledge of some interactions in recent days,” he said.
The leader of the new Democratic Party (NPD), Jagmeet Singh, who was at the festival at the time of the attack, also pronounced: “I have no words to describe what I saw.”
This tragic event occurs a few hours after Canada celebrates its general elections of 2025.
Filipino President is pronounced
The president of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr., also reacted to the attack, sending a message of condolence to the families of the victims.
“On behalf of the Government of the Philippines and the Philippine people, we want to express our deep condolences to the victims and our love. We are completely devastated by this fact,” said the president.
** With information from AFP and EFE