
Police investigating after vehicle crashes into Cirque du Soleil arena in Vancouver
VANCOUVER – Vancouver police say it's a 'miracle' no one was injured after a vehicle crashed into the Pacific Coliseum arena on Thursday evening.
Police say a vehicle drove into the front entrance of the building around 8 p.m. while a Cirque du Soleil show was taking place.
They say a 30-year-old Vancouver man has been arrested under the Mental Health Act and the crash does not appear to be an act of terrorism.
In a post to social media platform X, Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim says he's grateful that no one was hurt.
Sgt. Steve Addison told Global News that police don't believe there's a link between this and the Lapu Lapu Day Festival attack in Vancouver.
The ramming attack at the Lapu Lapu Day Festival on April 26 killed 11 people and injured dozens more.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 6, 2025.
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CTV News
10 hours ago
- CTV News
‘We can't live in fear': Vancouver prepares for large-scale weekend events after Cirque du Soleil crash
Several large events and festivals are taking place this weekend and police are ramping up security as fears remain high. Police are gearing up for a weekend filled with large-scale festivals in Vancouver, just six weeks after the Lapu-Lapu Day attack. The festivities also come in the wake of a frightening incident at Pacific Coliseum, during which a driver apparently in the midst of mental health crisis crashed into the entrance during a Thursday performance of Cirque du Soleil: Crystal. The Vancouver Police Department said more than 300 additional officers will be deployed across the city from Friday to Sunday, using the newly acquired median barriers expedited last month for the Vancouver Marathon. On Saturday, the B.C. Lions kick off their season with a performance by Snoop Dogg before the game. A festival is also scheduled for Terry Fox Square to welcome the more than 50,000 fans. The team's president, Duane Vienneau, said parts of Robson and Beatty streets will be closed to traffic and lined with archer barriers to help secure the area. 'We're safety first,' said Vienneau. Vienneau and others responsible for holding events across the city have been working to ensure that everyone attending is safe – and feels safe. Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to flood Commercial Drive on Sunday for Italian Day on the Drive, and similar to the B.C. Lions home opener, archer barriers will stretch across closed roads to prevent vehicles from getting near crowds. 'We can't live in fear,' said Melissa De Genova, vice-president of the Italian Day Festival Society board. 'We have the utmost confidence in the VPD and the city has been very diligent in the planning.' Other events taking place this weekend in the Lower Mainland include the West Vancouver Community Cultural Fest, Burnaby Heights Hats Off Day, Doors Open Richmond, and Car Free Day Newton in Surrey. The Surrey Police Service told CTV News it is prepared to welcome the expected crowd of 5,000 to the latter event.


The Province
11 hours ago
- The Province
Vancouver police ramp up weekend presence to deter crime, provide 'assurance'
Police spokesman Sgt. Steve Addison acknowledged some people may be feeling anxious about public safety given Thursday night's car-ramming incident at the Pacific Coliseum during a Cirque du Soleil show Crowds fill the street during Italian Day on Commercial Drive in 2019. Photo by NICK PROCAYLO / PNG The Vancouver Police Department said it is boosting the number of officers in the city this weekend, including at the B.C. Lions kickoff game on Saturday and at Italian Day on Commercial Drive on Sunday. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Police spokesman Sgt. Steve Addison acknowledged some people may be feeling anxious about public safety given Thursday night's car-ramming incident at the Pacific Coliseum during a Cirque du Soleil show and the vehicle attack at the Lapu Lapu Day festival in east Vancouver on April 26 that killed 11. But he reassured people that police will be out in full force this with an additional 300 officers deployed from Friday to Sunday. 'We will have a high-visibility presence throughout the city at a variety of events, and we're doing this to provide comfort and assurance to people, to deter crime, and … to respond immediately if something happens,' he said. Police will be using new Archer barriers at the Lions' season opener at B.C. Place and at Italian Day on the Drive, which are expected to draw hundreds of thousands of people to the city. Essential reading for hockey fans who eat, sleep, Canucks, repeat. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The Archer barriers replaces heavy vehicles like dump trucks used by VPD as barricades at large-scale events such as the Celebration of Light fireworks or the Taylor Swift concerts last year. The police department ordered 16 of the anti-ram barriers from U.S.-based Meridian Rapid Defense Group soon after the New Year's Day attack in New Orleans, where a 42-year-old man used a pickup truck to ram into a crowd on historic Bourbon Street, killing 15 people. The devices arrived last month. Each barrier weighs about 320 kilograms and they are linked with heavy steel cables specifically designed to stop unauthorized vehicles at roadways, construction sites and public events. The barriers 'can be deployed and moved around as needed,' said Addison. 'When they're set up, they're designed to prevent vehicle incursions into large crowds.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Road closures will be in effect around Robson and Beatty Streets downtown for the Lions' game and Commercial Drive from Venables to Broadway will be closed to vehicles for the Italian Day festival. There will also be a heightened police presence on beaches, which are expected to be busy with people enjoying the hot weather, and in Gastown, Yaletown and the Granville Street entertainment district. Addison said the 'seemingly random and unpredictable' nature of the recent ramming incidents can cause anxiety but police cannot 'cage the city.' 'Please know we are doing everything that we can, working with our partners, to mitigate risks and make this summer and these events as safe as possible,' he said, adding that people can call police if something seems suspicious or out of place, or if they feel unsafe. chchan@ Read More Vancouver Canucks Vancouver Canucks Sports PWHL Vancouver Whitecaps


Global News
13 hours ago
- Global News
Calgary woman loses $800k in romance scam: ‘I have nothing left'
Barbara Grant was one of many Canadians who found themsleves lonely during the pandemic. For the first time in her life, she set out to find a connection on an online dating site. That's when she met Michael Janda. 'We started talking… he said, 'You are gorgeous, I want to be with you,'' Grant said. The two quickly formed a bond. Janda's profile said he worked in the same oil and gas industry where she had built a successful career. As the weeks went by, they spoke about plans of marriage and buying a home together in Victoria, B.C. Then came the requests that preyed on her emotions. 'He told me he was caught in Doha, Qatar, carrying $1.5 million in cash,' she said, 'And police put him in jail.' Story continues below advertisement The two continued to communicate on LinkedIn after moving away from the dating site where they first connected. Over a period of nearly a year, Grant sent Janda money in several bank transfers — first to a trucking company in Ontario, then an individual in the U.S. Then one day in November, Grant realized her mistake — Janda wasn't who he said he was. 'He contacted me through LinkedIn and said, 'I can't come to Calgary any more, they've locked me up again.' He was coming to the airport and I was going to pick him up. 'I then realized it was a scam.' Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "I then realized it was a scam." Grant lost $800,000 CAD — her life's savings. 'I have nothing left, except what's in my (Registered Retirement Income Fund). I'm devastated by it… absolutely devastated.' 4:24 Spotting romance scams Falling into a deep depression, Grant was checked into a mental health unit on multiple occasions in Calgary. She contemplated ending her own life. Story continues below advertisement Then she took action, hiring a B.C.-based private investigator to look into her case. Six months later, Denis Gagnon had compiled a 400-page report. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'It's basically a daily event,' Gagnon said, explaining his work. Gangon was able to trace the transfers Grant sent. He says those recipients are commonly referred to as 'mules.' 'The money that's being transferred goes through a mule and goes to a different account. That person takes a percentage and then sends it overseas.' But who was ultimately behind it all is still a mystery. The lengthy report was then forwarded on to the Ombudsman for Banking Services and Interests, which earlier this week ruled in favour of Grant's bank, TD. 'I want TD Canada Trust to know about what happened to me… it has ruined my life,' Grant said. 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Grant was ready to spend her golden years travelling, downsizing her home and spending time with her children. Now at 75, she says she'll likely return to work as a consultant in the fall. She also sells her own paintings and dances. She's quite the catch — but you won't find her on any dating sites. 'No. No. I have some good friends, that's it, that's all,' she said.