Lapu Lapu Festival suspect: Vancouver man, 30, had possible mental health issues and was ‘known to police'
Several people reportedly died after a driver slammed his SUV into a crowd of Filipino festival goers in Vancouver, Canada, Saturday night, April 26. Many others were injured, authorities claimed, as reported by the New York Post. The incident took place while people were celebrating Lapu Lapu Day, a public holiday honouring Filipino heritage.
While authorities have not released the name of the suspect yet, they said a Vancouver man is in custody. There was a heavy police presence on Fraser Street and East 43rd Street, and first responders were seen treating people on the road, according to videos on social media.
The suspect, a 30-year-old man from Vancouver, possibly had an interaction with cops as recently as yesterday, police sources said, according to GlobalBC. The driver was taken into custody and was seen telling bystanders he was 'sorry.' According to sources, he appeared to have been battling mental health issues, the Vancouver Sun reported.
On being asked if police are looking for anyone else, Acting Police Chief Steve Rai said, "One suspect, one vehicle.'
Asked if the suspect has a criminal record, Rai said, per BBC, "It would be inappropriate for me to get into those kind of details at this point.'
Police said they are now investigating a "mass casualty incident.' Rai said the suspect was "known to police in certain circumstances" and that he was "taken into custody by people in the crowd" before the police arrived.
On being asked if the incident has any relations to the upcoming federal election, Rai said, "I don't know anything about that.'
Meanwhile, Canada's Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre expressed his shock at the 'horrific news.' "My thoughts are with the Filipino community and all the victims targeted by this senseless attack," he said on social media.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said on social media that he is 'devastated" to learn about the incident. "I offer my deepest condolences to the loved ones of those killed and injured, to the Filipino Canadian community, and to everyone in Vancouver. We are all mourning with you," he said. "We are monitoring the situation closely, and thankful to our first responders for their swift action."
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Time of India
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Hindustan Times
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- Hindustan Times
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First Post
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- First Post
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STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD From India's point of view, the most significant challenge in Canada-India relations stems from what it perceives as one of its gravest national security threats: Khalistani extremism on Canadian soil, a movement that advocates for an independent Sikh state, Khalistan, to be carved out of the Indian state of Punjab. Canada must engage in a serious discussions and address India's concerns. The participation of the Director of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) at the recent conclave of intelligence chiefs from around the world, held on the sidelines of the Raisina Dialogue on 17-19 2025 March, 2025 in New Delhi was a welcome development. If the Joint Working Group on Counter Terrorism meets regularly, this could serve as an effective platform for collaboration in this important security-related area. Addressing security-related concerns is very important for unlocking the economic potential of the relationship. Canada and India's bilateral trade relationship has seen fluctuating growth. In FY 2022-23, the bilateral trade was around US$ 8.27billion, while in FY 2023-24 it grew marginally to US$ 8.37, largely because of increased imports by India from Canada. While there's a significant potential for growth, ongoing political tensions have impacted the strengthening of economic ties. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) began in 2010 but have been stalled since 2021. In 2022, the focus shifted to a more limited Early Progress Trade Agreement (EPTA), but these talks were paused in September 2023, shortly before Prime Minister Trudeau's statement on the Nijjar killing. It is necessary to resume these talks to take the bilateral economic relationship forward. An EPTA can serve as an interim framework for enhancing bilateral economic cooperation and serve as a precursor to the more comprehensive CEPA. Another important area where cooperation is important is education. Education has historically been a cornerstone of India-Canada relations, with India being a significant source of international students for Canadian Universities. Canadian institutions, particularly those in Toronto, British Columbia, and Montreal, are popular choices for Indian students. A Memorandum of Understanding on Higher Education between Canada and India, renewed in 2018, provides a framework for collaboration. However, recent changes in Canadian immigration policies under Justin Trudeau, including visa reductions, and diplomatic tensions, have negatively impacted the flow of Indian students. The downturn in bilateral relations also created anxiety about post-study work opportunities and future immigration prospects. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The India-Canada diplomatic row during Trudeau's term led to serious repercussions for Indian students. According to official Canadian data, over 319,000 Indian students were enrolled in Canada as of 2023. However, due to political tensions and subsequent visa tightening, this number witnessed a dramatic 31% drop in study permits issued in early 2025 compared to the same period in the previous year. Indian students reported delays in visa processing times, added scrutiny, and increased financial documentation requirements. Therefore, the thawing of the diplomatic relationship would lead to the easing of the pressure which has gradually been mounting on the Indian students. Visa timelines could normalise and post-graduation work permit eligibility criteria will become more stable. What does the future roadmap look like? The India-Canada relationship is currently in a state of flux, marked by both potential for growth and ongoing challenges. While there are significant opportunities for bilateral cooperation, recent diplomatic tensions have created a need for renewed trust-building and institutionalized engagement. The two countries have a strong foundation for economic ties, with potential for increased trade and investment, especially in areas like renewable energy, clean technology, and infrastructure. Negotiations can be speeded up for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and a Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (FIPA) to streamline trade and investment flows. Collaboration in sectors like agriculture, chemicals, automobiles, and IT can further strengthen commercial ties. Canada's expertise in clean technology and infrastructure can be valuable to India's development goals, while India's growing economy presents opportunities for Canadian investment. However, it is important to first address the challenges. Recent diplomatic tensions require a renewed focus on rebuilding trust and addressing concerns related to security and intelligence. From India's point of view, addressing the security concerns related to Sikh separatism is of vital importance and has to be the starting point. In this context, increased collaboration between law enforcement agencies is essential. Canada has acknowledged India's concerns and expressed a willingness to engage further. There's a general understanding that a more constructive relationship is beneficial for both nations, and this could augur well for the future. The writer is a retired Indian diplomat and had previously served as Consul General in New York. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost's views.
