Accused mass killer in Lapu Lapu Day tragedy was on leave from hospital: Vancouver Coastal Health
Vancouver Coastal Health says accused mass killer Kai-ji Adam Lo was under the care of a mental health team and was on leave from hospital at the time of Saturday's deadly festival attack in southeast Vancouver.
Article content
Article content
'VCH can confirm the alleged driver of the vehicle was under the care of a mental health team and on extended leave in accordance with the Mental Health Act,' the statement said. 'Extended leave is intended to help clients maintain their treatment plans while transitioning back to community for continuing support.'
Article content
Article content
Lo, 30, is charged with eight counts of second-degree murder for allegedly driving his 2018 Audi SUV through a crowd of people Saturday night, killing 11 and injuring many more.
Article content
Article content
Police had dozens of encounters with Lo related to his mental health. He had no criminal record.
Article content
The health authority statement said 'the care team followed established guidelines for a client on extended leave, and there was no indication this person was not following their treatment plan or presented a public safety risk.'
Article content
Subject 37 of the B.C. Mental Health Act says that if a 'director considers that leave would benefit a patient detained in the designated facility, the director may release the patient on leave from the designated facility providing appropriate support exists in the community to meet the conditions of the leave.'
Article content
Article content
A former health-care worker told Postmedia Tuesday that normally if a family of someone in involuntary treatment calls for assistance, police are contacted to bring the person back to hospital.
Article content
Article content
Vancouver Police Sgt. Steve Addison wouldn't provide more details Tuesday about interactions with Lo before the killings at the popular Lapu Lapu Day community festival. Nor would he say more about Lo's contact with a 'neighbouring' police agency April 25, except that the situation was not serious enough to warrant intervention.
Article content
He did confirm that VPD learned about the Friday incident only after the attack — when officers checked a police database and saw the related entry.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Vancouver Sun
3 days ago
- Vancouver Sun
Changing safety measures no barrier to a good time at Italian Day on Commercial Drive
Vancouver police used cars, trucks and newly purchased vehicle barriers Sunday to block nearby roads at Italian Day on the Drive, an annual street festival that draws thousands of people to the iconic east Vancouver street. The portable anti-ram barriers, called 'Archer' barriers, replace heavy vehicles like dump trucks used by VPD as barricades at large-scale events like the Celebration of Light fireworks or the Taylor Swift concerts last year. 'I think it's so much better,' Cynthia Richardson, who was out with her husband and friends, said of the new barriers. 'You can see across, you don't have these big (trucks) blocking the view. It's friendlier.' Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. 'Before they used to have dump trucks,' said Jim Richardson. 'They used to have cops posted with assault rifles next to the dump trucks. I thought that was overkill,' Richardson said. Neither of the Richardsons, who live just off Commercial Drive, were worried about a repeat of the Lapu Lapu Day tragedy, though both said it was on their minds. Daniel Malbas, who was attending the festival for the first time, said he didn't expect anything to happen but was curious to see how safety measures would change following Lapu Lapu Day. 'I was definitely interested to see how they put different (security) measures in place, given the tragedy,' Malbas said. Malbas's friend Jerome said he wanted to make a point of coming out to the festival following the Lapu Lapu Day tragedy. 'I want to make sure that it is successful,' he said. The VPD 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 14 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,' Sgt. Steve Addison, a VDP spokesperson, previously told Postmedia. 'When they're set up, they're designed to prevent vehicle incursions into large crowds.' Corinne Lea, owner of the Rio Theatre located at Commercial and Broadway, said in the 10-plus years the theatre has had a booth at the festival, safety has never been an issue. Her booth was at the southern entrance to the festival, at the corner of Commercial and Grandview Highway, north of the SkyTrain station. The intersection was blocked by a police cruiser and a row of the newly purchased anti-ramming barriers. The barriers were a popular subject for photography. 'I think it's on everybody's mind,' Lea said of the Lapu Lapu Day tragedy. 'But I feel like we're in good hands.' 'It's really well organized. So I always feel safe,' Lea said of the festival. 'But you know, just the state of the world right now. You know you can never be too safe.' Each trailer load of Meridian barriers costs about USD $125,000, and includes eight mobile barriers and a rapid VPD ordered two trailer loads. With a file from Cheryl Chan. @njgriffiths ngriffiths@
The Province
5 days 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
Vancouver Sun
6 days ago
- Vancouver Sun
Vancouver police ramp up weekend presence to deter crime, provide 'assurance'
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. 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. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. '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. 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.' 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@
