Suspect, 30, 'known to police' is arrested after SUV drives into huge crowd at street festival in Vancouver - leaving multiple people dead
A suspect 'known to police' has been arrested after an SUV drove into a huge crowd at a street festival in Vancouver.
Police said a 30-year-old man, from the city, was 'taken into custody by people in the crowd' before being arrested at the scene following the 'mass casualty incident' at the Lapu Lapu Day event.
The vehicle rammed through a packed street festival on Saturday night causing 'multiple fatalities' and scores of people injured.
Dozens more were injured after the black vehicle caused carnage at the event - to honor Filipino heritage - at around 8pm local time.
Acting Police Chief Steve Rai told press at the crime scene the suspect was 'known to police in certain circumstances'.
He would not confirm whether he had a criminal record saying it 'would be inappropriate for me to get into those kind of details at this point'
Horrifying video and pictures showed utter devastation as mangled bodies were strewn across the road following the crash.
Dazed bystanders could be seen racing away from the scene and from victim to victim as local cops swooped and arrested the driver.
The suspect was alleged to have told witnesses he was 'sorry' as he was dragged out of the car.
Sources told The Vancouver Sun he appeared to have been suffering from mental health problems.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said he was 'devastated to hear about the horrific events at the Lapu Lapu festival in Vancouver earlier this evening'.
Writing on X, he said: 'We are all mourning with you.'
Police said in a statement published at midnight local time: 'A suspect has been arrested by Vancouver Police after several people were killed and multiple others injured at a neighbourhood street party in South Vancouver earlier tonight.
'At approximately 8.14 p.m. on April 26, a man drove into a large crowd of people attending the Lapu Lapu Day Festival near East 43rd Avenue and Fraser Street.
'A 30-year-old suspect, a Vancouver man, was arrested at the scene. The investigation is ongoing and is being led the Vancouver Police Department's Major Crime Section.'
Cops have not yet released an official death toll, referring only to 'a number of people' confirmed to have passed away.
Vancouver Police said: 'A number of people have been killed and multiple others are injured after a driver drove into a crowd at a street festival.'
Elizabeth May, the co-leader of Canada's Green Party, said her prayers were with Vancouver and its Filipino community.
'I'm horrified and heartbroken that such an attack could occur, and on an occasion celebrating Filipino culture, resilience, and resistance. I am sending my love to affected families,' she wrote on social media.
Officers have not said whether the incident was intentional or the result of reckless driving, but an active investigation is underway.
Jagmeet Singh, leader of Canada's New Democratic Party, was among the attendees at the event, but left minutes before the vehicle arrived, CTV news said.
'This is so horrific, I don't even know what to say,' CTV quoted Singh as saying. 'I was just there, and I just imagine the faces of the kids that I saw smiling and dancing.'
Usually the city parks dump trucks to block streets for festivals but for unknown reasons that didn't happen on Saturday.
The VPD emphasized that they would be providing updates as the investigation unfolds.
'I am shocked and deeply saddened by the horrific incident at today's Lapu Lapu Day event.
'We will work to provide more information as soon as we can, but at this time we have confirmed that there are a number of fatalities and multiple injuries,' Vancouver's Mayor Ken Sim said in a statement.
'Our thoughts are with all those affected and with Vancouver's Filipino community during this incredibly difficult time.'
Major crime detectives and collision reconstruction teams remained at the scene late into the evening, scouring the area for evidence and interviewing witnesses.
The festival had drawn families, children, and neighbors from across Vancouver, many eager to enjoy the warm spring evening, unaware of the horror about to unfold.
Instead, the street became a makeshift triage center as bystanders rushed to provide first aid before paramedics could arrive.
Videos posted on social media showed stunned festivalgoers standing beside twisted tents, toppled chairs, and scattered belongings, the aftermath of what should have been an ordinary, joyous community event.
Eyewitness videos from the scene show severe injuries among festival attendees, including reports of a baby trapped under a vehicle, while emergency responders could be seen performing CPR on victims.
Police have asked anyone with video footage of the incident or who witnessed the crash to contact them immediately.
'Today was supposed to be a joyful and proud moment for my Filipino community - a celebration of Lapu Lapu Day at our Block Party.
'It was meant to be a day filled with music, food, laughter, and the honoring of our heritage. Instead, it turned into one of the most traumatizing days we will never forget,' wrote Jen Idaba-Castaneto who attended the celebration.
'After the event, a tragic accident occurred that took multiple lives. What was supposed to end with smiles and memories became a nightmare.
'Families, friends, and loved ones are now mourning and in shock. It's heartbreaking beyond words.
'Our community came together to celebrate our history, but we are now united in grief.
'My heart is broken for everyone affected by this tragedy. Please keep everyone involved in your prayers,' Idaba-Castaneto went on.
'We will remember those we lost today, and we will honor their memory in the way we continue to support each other through this unbearable pain.'
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