Latest news with #B.C.MentalHealthAct
National Post
30-04-2025
- National Post
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.
Ottawa Citizen
29-04-2025
- Ottawa Citizen
Accused mass killer in Lapu Lapu Day tragedy was on leave from hospital: Vancouver Coastal Health
Article content Vancouver Coastal Health says accused mass killer Kai-ji Adam Lo was under the care of a mental health team and on leave from hospital at the time of Saturday's deadly festival attack in southeast Vancouver. Article content In a statement, the health authority offered 'its deepest condolences to the victims of the Lapu Lapu Day Festival, their families and the entire Filipino community during this incredibly challenging time.' 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. Article content Article content 'Extended leave is intended to help clients maintain their treatment plans while transitioning back to community for ongoing support.' Article content The health authority statement claims '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 Lo is facing eight counts of second-degree murder, but is expected to be charged with additional counts as the investigation progresses. Police had dozens of encounters with Lo over the years related to his mental health. Article content Vancouver Police Sgt. Steve Addison told reporters Monday that a neighbouring police agency, likely the RCMP, had dealt with Lo on April 25 but that the situation was not serious enough to warrant intervention. Article content Lo, who is believed to have suffered from delusions and paranoia, is charged with driving his 2018 Audi SUV through a crowd of people attending the Filipino festival on East 43rd Avenue, west of Fraser, just after 8 p.m. Saturday.
Vancouver Sun
29-04-2025
- Vancouver Sun
Accused mass killer in Lapu Lapu Day tragedy was on leave from hospital: Vancouver Coastal Health
Article content Vancouver Coastal Health says accused mass killer Kai-ji Adam Lo was under the care of a mental health team and on leave from hospital at the time of Saturday's deadly festival attack in southeast Vancouver. Article content Article content In a statement, the health authority offered 'its deepest condolences to the victims of the Lapu Lapu Day Festival, their families and the entire Filipino community during this incredibly challenging time.' 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. Article content Article content The health authority statement claims '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 Article content Lo is facing eight counts of second-degree murder, but is expected to be charged with additional counts as the investigation progresses. Police had dozens of encounters with Lo over the years related to his mental health. Article content Vancouver Police Sgt. Steve Addison told reporters Monday that a neighbouring police agency, likely the RCMP, had dealt with Lo on April 25 but that the situation was not serious enough to warrant intervention. Article content Lo, who is believed to have suffered from delusions and paranoia, is charged with driving his 2018 Audi SUV through a crowd of people attending the Filipino festival on East 43rd Avenue, west of Fraser, just after 8 p.m. Saturday.
