A devastating crash at a Vancouver festival has left 11 people dead, including a five-year-old child, after a car drove into a crowd, sending victims “flying like bowling pins.”
The suspect, Kai-Ji Adam Lo, 30, a Vancouver resident, has been charged with eight counts of second-degree murder, with authorities confirming that more charges are expected. Lo, described as a “lone suspect,” was taken into custody shortly after the horrifying incident at the Lapu Lapu Festival on Saturday night.
Officials have ruled out terrorism as a motive. Interim Police Chief Steve Rai described the event as “the darkest day in Vancouver’s history,” while Mayor Ken Sim revealed that the suspect has a significant history of mental health issues. 
According to a statement from Vancouver Police:
“The BC Prosecution Service has charged Kai-Ji Adam Lo, 30, with eight counts of second-degree murder. He has appeared in court and remains in custody. The investigation is ongoing, and additional charges are anticipated.”
The tragic crash occurred around 8 PM local time, killing 11 people and injuring dozens more. Witnesses described chaotic scenes as the black Audi SUV sped into the festival area, striking victims with horrifying force.
Festival vendor Kris Pangilinan shared his experience:
“It sounded like an F1 car revving up, then screams followed. I’ll never forget the sound of bodies hitting the hood — people flying higher than the food trucks. It was like a bowling ball hitting pins.”
Adonis Quita narrowly saved his 9-year-old son by pulling him away as the vehicle barreled through a line of families waiting for food.
Vincent Reynon, 17, who had just left the festival with his girlfriend, described the horror:
“We saw emergency vehicles rushing in. When we circled back, we saw people crying and bodies on the ground. It felt like a scene from a horror movie.”
Victims of the crash ranged in age from 5 to 65, according to police. Emergency responders covered bodies with white tarps as ambulances transported the injured to nearby hospitals.
Another witness, Lorena Sales, 17, ran back to the festival after seeing ambulances rush toward the scene. She recalled the heartbreaking sight of bodies scattered across the street and the haunting memory of a woman whose skull had been crushed.
Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed his condolences, calling it:
“Every family’s worst nightmare.”
The tragic incident occurred just two days ahead of Canada’s federal election, scheduled for Monday.
