The Vancouver police have recognized the suspect within the devastating assault that killed a minimal of 11 people on the Lapu Lapu Day competition on Saturday as 30-year-old Kai-Ji Adam Lo.
A mentally disturbed driver, Lo is at the moment charged with eight counts of second-degree homicide after he allegedly drove into a bunch of competition members celebrating Filipino tradition. The tragic occasion occurred because the celebration was ending close to the Memorial Causeway Bridge in Vancouver.
Troubling historical past of psychological sickness and tragedy within the household
Lo’s household had apparently tried to hunt him psychological well being help simply hours earlier than the assault. Sources indicated {that a} member of the family referred to as a hospital psych ward, asking for assist with Lo, who was considered experiencing delusions and paranoia. However it’s not identified if any motion was taken instantly after the decision.
Nonetheless, authorities have been emphasizing that Lo’s previous historical past of psychological sicknesses, and never terrorism, appears to be the explanation behind his assault.
Lo’s household has been combating deep loss over the previous few years.
Lo’s 31-year-old brother, Alexander, was murdered in a Vancouver residence in January 2024. A 39-year-old man was taken into custody over his homicide, however there’s not a lot identified concerning the incident.
Lo’s disappointment was evident, as he posted on a fundraising web page to cowl funeral bills: “Our actuality has abruptly shifted. Regardless of our disagreements, the tough fact that he’s now not with us hits me with an awesome pressure.”
A number of months after the tragedy, Lo posted one other heart-wrenching information on the identical web page, stating that his mom had tried to kill herself.
The deadly rampage
The deadly Saturday evening rampage occurred at round 8 p.m. because the Lapu Lapu Day competition was ending. There have been a whole bunch of revelers on the road, as organizers began eradicating obstacles. Lo allegedly used this chance to flooring it down the road in a black sport utility car, broadsiding the group, and creating mayhem. “He simply floored it and ran over a whole bunch of individuals,” stated Kris Pangilinan, a competition attendee who in contrast the sight to “a bowling ball crashing into the entire pins and the pins going flying up within the air.
The victims’ ages diversified between 5 to 65 years, with scores extra injured. The youngest casualty was solely 5 years outdated. The state of affairs instantly changed into a mass casualty occasion, and a number of other victims had been taken by helicopter by emergency responders.
Ongoing investigation and reactions
Vancouver police confirmed that Lo was acquainted to legislation enforcement and psychological well being staff previous to the incident. Police additionally indicated that there had been no earlier interactions with Lo within the hours main as much as the assault on the competition. “That is the darkest day in our metropolis’s historical past,” Vancouver Police Chief Steve Rai stated in a press convention on Sunday.
The probe is continuous, with further prices to be introduced as the complete extent of the horror is revealed. Lo appeared in courtroom and is held in custody whereas police continued to uncover the main points of his deadly rampage.
