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CBC
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- CBC
Friends of victim of Lapu-Lapu tragedy support benefit concert but wishes city had involved the community
Social Sharing Jada Stevens says she's looking forward to celebrating the life of her friend, Kira Salim, at the end of this month. "We want to bring in all of the facets of Kira that made them a completely wonderful person," Stevens said from her Vancouver home. "So we're going to be bringing in their Brazilian culture. We're going to be bringing in the LGBTQ community. We have drag performances. [Drag performer] Kendall Gender is going to be there." Salim, 34, was one of 11 people killed when a car rammed through the crowd at the Lapu Lapu Day festival in East Vancouver on April 26. Stevens says she's been grieving with Salim's loved ones in Vancouver since, supporting one another through the process and planning a celebration of life for their friend, which they're holding on June 22. So hearing that the City of Vancouver had decided to move forward with a large-scale memorial event for the tragedy's victims, without involving them in those plans, she said, came as a shock to her and Salim's other friends. On Tuesday, Vancouver city councillors voted in favour of a last-minute motion to move forward with what had then been described as a memorial event. It was being planned for Rogers Arena during the month of June, which is Filipino Heritage Month. Filipino B.C., the organizers of the Lapu Lapu Day festival, said families of the victims hadn't been consulted — which Stevens echoed. "It's really difficult to comprehend what a memorial for a loved one will look like if the loved ones haven't been engaged on the memorial," Stevens said. "We feel a little bit disrespected. We do want to support this event. We do want it to take place, but it would just have been a little bit kinder of the city to respect our needs for information and to be a part of the planning process." Stevens said it would've made things complicated had the city planned the event on the same day as Salim's celebration of life, and some communication would've helped. She also said they're concerned the planned event would be "a little bit too soon." "We are still going through the many complicated stages of grief, and that's a very private feeling," she said. "So the benefit concert, well, we do support it. We would just like it to take place a little bit later. If we had been consulted by the city, that's what we would have told them." WATCH | Community organization says city didn't consult with families on memorial event Filipino B.C. says it wasn't consulted before city vote on Lapu-Lapu Day memorial 17 hours ago Duration 2:01 A memorial and benefit concert at Rogers Arena for victims of Vancouver's Lapu-Lapu Day tragedy won't move ahead exactly as proposed. Earlier this week, city council voted in favour of going ahead with the event. But as Jon Hernandez reports, community leaders say victims and their families weren't consulted. In a statement to CBC News Thursday morning, the Office of the Mayor of Vancouver said council has unanimously passed a resolution calling for the event, since confirmed to be a benefit concert, to "undertake additional consultation with victims and families." They also said they're "moving away from the term 'memorial' as to not accidentally mischaracterize it as a formal memorial service for the victims." Crystal Laderas with Filipino B.C. told CBC News on Thursday that they've yet to have a comprehensive discussion with the city on the next steps with regard to the benefit concert. "What we're seeing here is a gap," she said. "While we are satisfied with the community consultation, and the City of Vancouver's communication with us, we're going to be asking the same questions whether it's a temporary memorial or this memorial event or benefit concert — have you spoken to the families yet?" 40 days after tragedy has community significance With June 5 marking 40 days since the tragedy, a memorial mass is being held at St. Andrew's Parish church in East Vancouver to honour and pray for the victims of the alleged attack. In Filipino Catholic tradition, the 40th day after death is believed to be when the soul's journey on earth has ended and ascended to heaven, says Narima Dela Cruz, founding president of the Philippine Asian National Congress. "It is usually marked by a remembrance and a get-together by family and friends, marked by prayers, offering of flowers, and if there is a memorial, as in the case of the Lapu-Lapu tragedy, then a visit to the place [of the incident]," she said. In a statement Thursday morning, Filipino B.C. says the 40th day "holds deep spiritual meaning." "It is believed that the soul remains close to us during these 40 days, before finding peace and fully departing from the physical world. "This is not closure," the statement goes on to say.
Global News
29-04-2025
- Global News
Lapu Lapu festival tragedy: What we know about the victims
A teacher, a badminton and tennis coach, a kindergarten student, a wife and a mother. These are just some of the victims who have been identified following the Lapu Lapu festival tragedy that happened in Vancouver on Saturday, April 26. Family, friends and loved ones have started identifying those who have been lost. GoFundMe has been provided a list of verified fundraisers and caution against other unverified ones circulating online. In addition, the Philippine Consulate General is warning the public that it has not created any fundraising efforts nor has it sanctioned any entities to raise funds on behalf of the victims of the Lapu Lapu Day incident. Eleven people were killed when an SUV drove into a crowd of people at the festival, which was being held on the grounds of a school at East 41st Avenue and Fraser Street. Story continues below advertisement Vancouver police confirmed that the victims range in age from five to 65 years old. All but two of them are female. As of Monday afternoon, seven people remain in critical condition in hospital and three people are in serious condition. 1:14 Vancouver festival tragedy: Filipinos in Manila express 'heartbreaking' loss of countrymen One of the victims has been identified as Rizza, a woman who came to Canada from the Philippines with her husband. 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 'She was the sweetest soul, kind-hearted, humble, and hardworking person,' the GoFundMe states. 'Now, in the wake of this unthinkable loss, our family is asking for your help. Leaving her husband, younger brother, and a few of us here in Canada, we are doing everything we can to reunite Rizza with her loved ones back home in the Philippines, to lay her to rest with the family who raised her and loved her deeply.' Story continues below advertisement View image in full screen Rizza has been identified as one of the victims of the Lapu Lapu festival tragedy. GoFundMe Teacher-counsellor Kira Salim was also identified in a statement Monday from the superintendent at the New Westminster school district. It said the loss of a friend and colleague has left them all shocked and heartbroken. 'Kira was a valued member of our community whose wisdom and care for our middle and secondary school students had a powerful impact. Their work, and the great spirit they brought to it, changed lives,' the statement said. View image in full screen Kira Salim (right) is seen here with friend Chingi Helmich. Kira was a victim in the Lapu Lapu festival tragedy. Chingi Helmich Richard Le, 47, Linh Hoang, 30 and Katie Le, five, all members of the same family, were killed in the tragedy. Story continues below advertisement Andy Le is the only survivor of the family as the 16-year-old decided to stay home to finish his homework instead of attending the festival, according to a verified GoFundMe for the family. 'The horrific nature of this crime against the Le family and other victims serves as a painful reminder that, as a society, we must do better. We hope you cherish your loved ones every single day, as Andy and many others no longer have that chance,' the GoFundMe states. View image in full screen Richard Le, 47, Linh Hoang, 30 and Katie Le, five, were killed when an SUV plowed into a crowd of people at the festival held to celebrate Filipino culture and community. GoFundMe Val De La Cruz and his son Jeb were injured in the incident on Saturday night. According to a verified GoFundMe, Val and Jeb, who is almost two years old, are both fighting for their lives in hospital. 'Val is a devoted and loving father, whose world revolves around his son,' the GoFundMe states. 'His bond with Jeb is unbreakable — he cherishes every moment spent with his little boy. Story continues below advertisement 'Jeb is a sweet, easygoing, and remarkably intelligent baby, always eager to explore and learn new things. His bright curiosity and gentle nature light up the lives of everyone around him.' Val is the sole provider for his family and he and his wife also have a five-month-old daughter.
Irish Examiner
28-04-2025
- Irish Examiner
Teacher identified among those killed in vehicle ramming at Vancouver festival
A teacher and school counsellor has been identified as one of the 11 people killed when a driver ploughed a vehicle through a crowd at a Filipino heritage festival in Vancouver over the weekend. Kira Salim worked at two schools in the New Westminster School District south-east of Vancouver, the district said in a statement. Ms Salim 'was a valued member of our community whose wisdom and care for our middle and secondary school students had a powerful impact,' the district's superintendent and board chair wrote. 'Their work, and the great spirit they brought to it, changed lives.' Those killed ranged in age from five to 65, officials said. The youngest was five-year-old girl Katie Le, who died along with her father, Richard Le, and mother, Linh Hoang, according to Richard's brother, Toan Le. They were survived by Katie's 16-year-old brother, who did not attend the festival, he said. The black Audi sped down a closed, food truck-lined street just after 8pm on Saturday and struck people attending the Lapu Lapu Day festival, which celebrates Datu Lapu-Lapu, an indigenous chieftain who stood up to Spanish explorers who came to the Philippines in the 16th century. Thirty-two people were hurt and 17 were still in hospital late on Sunday, including some in critical and serious condition, the British Columbia Health Ministry said. A 30-year-old man was charged with multiple counts of murder in the deaths, and mourners including the Canadian prime minister remembered the dead at vigils across the city. Kai-Ji Adam Lo was charged with eight counts of second-degree murder in a video appearance before a judge on Sunday, said Damienne Darby, spokeswoman for British Columbia prosecutors. Lo has not yet entered a plea. Investigators ruled out terrorism as a motive and said more charges were possible. They said Lo had a history of mental health issues. The Associated Press could not immediately reach a lawyer representing him. A man places a candle at a memorial for the victims of the attack (Lindsey Wasson/AP) 'Something really dark happened last night,' Ms Nairn said as she and her daughter wiped away tears. While attending a vigil, Vancouver mayor Kenneth Sim said the Filipino community and the city were 'heartbroken, were sad, were scared and there's a bit of anger there, too'. Interim Police Chief Steve Rai called it 'the darkest day in Vancouver's history'. There was no indication of a motive, but Mr Rai said the suspect has 'a significant history of interactions with police and health care professionals related to mental health'. Video of the aftermath showed the dead and injured along a narrow street in South Vancouver. The front of the vehicle was smashed in. Police and debris in 43rd Avenue in Vancouver after the attack (Rich Lam/The Canadian Press/AP) Kris Pangilinan, who brought his pop-up clothing and lifestyle booth to the festival, saw the vehicle roll slowly past a barricade before the driver accelerated in an area packed with people after a concert. He said hearing the sounds of people screaming and bodies hitting the vehicle will never leave his mind. 'He slammed on the gas, barrelled through the crowd,' Mr Pangilinan said. 'It looked like a bowling ball hitting bowling pins and all the pins are flying into the air.' Investigators were collecting evidence at the scene on Monday and had executed a search warrant at a Vancouver property, police spokesperson Sergeant Steve Addison said. Investigators were also going through bystander video from the scene. Officials will review the situation, and it may change how they approach such events, Mr Addison said. 'This was intended to be a safe, fun, family-friendly community block party for people to celebrate their community and culture,' he said. 'The actions of one person stole that away from them.' Mr Rai said the suspect was arrested after initially being apprehended by bystanders. Video circulating on social media showed a young man in a black hoodie with his back against a fence, alongside a security guard and surrounded by bystanders screaming and swearing at him. 'I'm sorry,' the man said, holding his hand to his head. Mr Rai declined to comment on the video. In Vancouver tonight, we laid flowers in memory of the victims of the devastating Lapu Lapu festival attack. In this incredibly difficult moment, we will comfort the grieving, care for one another, and unite in common purpose. — Mark Carney (@MarkJCarney) April 28, 2025 Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney visited on Sunday, a day before a national election. He cancelled his first campaign event and two major rallies on the final day of the campaign before the country votes on Monday. 'Last night families lost a sister, a brother, a mother, father, son or a daughter. Those families are living every family's nightmare,' Mr Carney said. He joined British Columbia premier David Eby and community leaders on Sunday evening in Vancouver. Mr Carney posted a photo of himself on X lighting a candle at a makeshift memorial near the scene of the attack. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney pays tribute to the victims at a memorial in Vancouver (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press/AP) The assault was reminiscent of an attack in 2018, when a man used a van to kill 10 pedestrians in Toronto. Vancouver had more than 38,600 residents of Filipino heritage in 2021, representing 5.9% of the city's total population, according to Statistics Canada, the agency that conducts the national census. The organisers of the Vancouver event, which was in its second year, said Lapu-Lapu 'represents the soul of native resistance, a powerful force that helped shape the Filipino identity in the face of colonisation'. People embrace outside a community meeting and vigil for the victims (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press/AP) Mr Eby said the province will not let the tragedy define the celebration. He urged people to channel their rage into helping those affected. 'I don't think there is a British Columbian that hasn't been touched in some way by the Filipino community,' he said. 'You can't go to a place that delivers and not meet a member of that community in the long-term care home or hospitals, childcare or schools. This is a community that gives and gives and yesterday was a celebration of their culture.'
Rhyl Journal
28-04-2025
- Rhyl Journal
Teacher identified among those killed in vehicle ramming at Vancouver festival
Kira Salim worked at two schools in the New Westminster School District south-east of Vancouver, the district said in a statement. Ms Salim 'was a valued member of our community whose wisdom and care for our middle and secondary school students had a powerful impact,' the district's superintendent and board chair wrote. 'Their work, and the great spirit they brought to it, changed lives.' Those killed ranged in age from five to 65, officials said. The youngest was five-year-old girl Katie Le, who died along with her father, Richard Le, and mother, Linh Hoang, according to Richard's brother, Toan Le. They were survived by Katie's 16-year-old brother, who did not attend the festival, he said. The black Audi sped down a closed, food truck-lined street just after 8pm on Saturday and struck people attending the Lapu Lapu Day festival, which celebrates Datu Lapu-Lapu, an indigenous chieftain who stood up to Spanish explorers who came to the Philippines in the 16th century. Thirty-two people were hurt and 17 were still in hospital late on Sunday, including some in critical and serious condition, the British Columbia Health Ministry said. A 30-year-old man was charged with multiple counts of murder in the deaths, and mourners including the Canadian prime minister remembered the dead at vigils across the city. Kai-Ji Adam Lo was charged with eight counts of second-degree murder in a video appearance before a judge on Sunday, said Damienne Darby, spokeswoman for British Columbia prosecutors. Lo has not yet entered a plea. Investigators ruled out terrorism as a motive and said more charges were possible. They said Lo had a history of mental health issues. The Associated Press could not immediately reach a lawyer representing him. 'Something really dark happened last night,' Ms Nairn said as she and her daughter wiped away tears. While attending a vigil, Vancouver mayor Kenneth Sim said the Filipino community and the city were 'heartbroken, were sad, were scared and there's a bit of anger there, too'. Interim Police Chief Steve Rai called it 'the darkest day in Vancouver's history'. There was no indication of a motive, but Mr Rai said the suspect has 'a significant history of interactions with police and health care professionals related to mental health'. Video of the aftermath showed the dead and injured along a narrow street in South Vancouver. The front of the vehicle was smashed in. Kris Pangilinan, who brought his pop-up clothing and lifestyle booth to the festival, saw the vehicle roll slowly past a barricade before the driver accelerated in an area packed with people after a concert. He said hearing the sounds of people screaming and bodies hitting the vehicle will never leave his mind. 'He slammed on the gas, barrelled through the crowd,' Mr Pangilinan said. 'It looked like a bowling ball hitting bowling pins and all the pins are flying into the air.' Investigators were collecting evidence at the scene on Monday and had executed a search warrant at a Vancouver property, police spokesperson Sergeant Steve Addison said. Investigators were also going through bystander video from the scene. Officials will review the situation, and it may change how they approach such events, Mr Addison said. 'This was intended to be a safe, fun, family-friendly community block party for people to celebrate their community and culture,' he said. 'The actions of one person stole that away from them.' Mr Rai said the suspect was arrested after initially being apprehended by bystanders. Video circulating on social media showed a young man in a black hoodie with his back against a fence, alongside a security guard and surrounded by bystanders screaming and swearing at him. 'I'm sorry,' the man said, holding his hand to his head. Mr Rai declined to comment on the video. In Vancouver tonight, we laid flowers in memory of the victims of the devastating Lapu Lapu festival attack. In this incredibly difficult moment, we will comfort the grieving, care for one another, and unite in common purpose. — Mark Carney (@MarkJCarney) April 28, 2025 Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney visited on Sunday, a day before a national election. He cancelled his first campaign event and two major rallies on the final day of the campaign before the country votes on Monday. 'Last night families lost a sister, a brother, a mother, father, son or a daughter. Those families are living every family's nightmare,' Mr Carney said. He joined British Columbia premier David Eby and community leaders on Sunday evening in Vancouver. Mr Carney posted a photo of himself on X lighting a candle at a makeshift memorial near the scene of the attack. The assault was reminiscent of an attack in 2018, when a man used a van to kill 10 pedestrians in Toronto. Vancouver had more than 38,600 residents of Filipino heritage in 2021, representing 5.9% of the city's total population, according to Statistics Canada, the agency that conducts the national census. The organisers of the Vancouver event, which was in its second year, said Lapu-Lapu 'represents the soul of native resistance, a powerful force that helped shape the Filipino identity in the face of colonisation'. Mr Eby said the province will not let the tragedy define the celebration. He urged people to channel their rage into helping those affected. 'I don't think there is a British Columbian that hasn't been touched in some way by the Filipino community,' he said. 'You can't go to a place that delivers and not meet a member of that community in the long-term care home or hospitals, childcare or schools. This is a community that gives and gives and yesterday was a celebration of their culture.'
The Hill
28-04-2025
- The Hill
Teacher identified among those killed in vehicle ramming at Vancouver street festival
VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — A teacher and school counselor was identified Monday as one of the 11 people killed when a driver plowed a sport-utility vehicle through a crowd at a Filipino heritage festival in Vancouver over the weekend. Kira Salim worked at two schools in the New Westminster School District southeast of Vancouver, the district said in a statement. Salim 'was a valued member of our community whose wisdom and care for our middle and secondary school students had a powerful impact,' the district's superintendent and board chair wrote. 'Their work, and the great spirit they brought to it, changed lives.' Those killed ranged in age from 5 to 65, officials said. The youngest was 5-year-old girl Katie Le, who died along with her father, Richard Le, and mother, Linh Hoang, according to Richard's brother, Toan Le. They were survived by Katie's 16-year-old brother, who didn't attend the festival, he said. The black Audi SUV sped down a closed, food-truck-lined street just after 8 p.m. Saturday and struck people attending the Lapu Lapu Day festival, which celebrates Datu Lapu-Lapu, an Indigenous chieftain who stood up to Spanish explorers who came to the Philippines in the 16th century. Thirty-two people were hurt, and 17 were still hospitalized late Sunday, including some in critical and serious condition, the British Columbia Health Ministry said. A 30-year-old man was charged with multiple counts of murder in the deaths, and mourners including the Canadian prime minister remembered the dead at vigils across the city. Kai-Ji Adam Lo was charged with eight counts of second-degree murder in a video appearance before a judge Sunday, said Damienne Darby, spokeswoman for British Columbia prosecutors. Lo has not yet entered a plea. Investigators ruled out terrorism as a motive and said more charges were possible. They said Lo had a history of mental health issues. The Associated Press could not immediately reach an attorney representing him. While attending a vigil, Vancouver Mayor Kenneth Sim said the Filipino community and the city were 'heartbroken, were sad, were scared and there's a bit of anger there, too.' Interim Police Chief Steve Rai called it 'the darkest day in Vancouver's history.' There was no indication of a motive, but Rai said the suspect has 'a significant history of interactions with police and health care professionals related to mental health.' Video of the aftermath showed the dead and injured along a narrow street in South Vancouver. The front of the SUV was smashed in. Kris Pangilinan, who brought his pop-up clothing and lifestyle booth to the festival, saw the vehicle roll slowly past a barricade before the driver accelerated in an area packed with people after a concert. He said hearing the sounds of people screaming and bodies hitting the vehicle will never leave his mind. 'He slammed on the gas, barreled through the crowd,' Pangilinan said. 'It looked like a bowling ball hitting bowling pins and all the pins are flying into the air.' Investigators were collecting evidence at the scene Monday and had executed a search warrant at a Vancouver property, police spokesperson Sgt. Steve Addison said. Investigators were also going through bystander video from the scene. Officials will review the situation, and it may change how they approach such events, Addison said. 'This was intended to be a safe, fun, family-friendly community block party for people to celebrate their community and culture,' Addison said. 'The actions of one person stole that away from them.' Suspect detained by bystanders Rai said the suspect was arrested after initially being apprehended by bystanders. Video circulating on social media showed a young man in a black hoodie with his back against a chain-link fence, alongside a security guard and surrounded by bystanders screaming and swearing at him. 'I'm sorry,' the man said, holding his hand to his head. Rai declined to comment on the video. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney visited Sunday, a day before a national election. He canceled his first campaign event and two major rallies on the final day of the campaign before the country votes on Monday. 'Last night families lost a sister, a brother, a mother, father, son or a daughter. Those families are living every family's nightmare,' Carney said. He joined British Columbia Premier David Eby and community leaders Sunday evening in Vancouver. Carney posted a photo of himself on X lighting a candle at a makeshift memorial near the scene of the attack. The assault was reminiscent of an attack in 2018, when a man used a van to kill 10 pedestrians in Toronto. Witnesses describe leaping out of the way Carayn Nulada said that she pulled her granddaughter and grandson off the street and used her body to shield them from the SUV. She said her daughter made a narrow escape. 'The car hit her arm, and she fell down, but she got up, looking for us, because she is scared,' said Nulada, who described children screaming and victims lying on the ground or wedged under vehicles. Nulada was at Vancouver General Hospital on Sunday morning, trying to learn about her brother, who was run down in the attack and suffered multiple broken bones. Doctors identified him by presenting the family with his wedding ring in a pill bottle and said that he was stable but would need surgery. James Cruzat, a Vancouver business owner, was at the celebration. He heard a car engine rev and then 'a loud noise, like a loud bang' that he initially thought might be a gunshot. 'We saw people on the road crying. Others were like running, shouting or even screaming, asking for help,' Cruzat said. Vincent Reynon, 17, was leaving the festival when he saw police rushing in. People were crying, and he saw scattered bodies. 'It was like something straight out of a horror movie or a nightmare,' he said. Adonis Quita said when he saw the SUV ramming through the crowd, his first reaction was to drag his 9-year-old son out of the area. The boy kept saying 'I'm scared, I'm scared,' Quita recalled. Later they prayed together. His son just relocated to Vancouver from the Philippines with his mother to reunite with Quita, who has lived here since 2024. Quita said he worries the child will struggle to adjust to life in Canada after witnessing the horrific event. Filipino community was honoring a national hero Vancouver had more than 38,600 residents of Filipino heritage in 2021, representing 5.9% of the city's total population, according to Statistics Canada, the agency that conducts the national census. The organizers of the Vancouver event, which was in its second year, said Lapu-Lapu 'represents the soul of native resistance, a powerful force that helped shape the Filipino identity in the face of colonization.' Eby said the province will not let the tragedy define the celebration. He urged people to channel their rage into helping those affected. 'I don't think there is a British Columbian that hasn't been touched in some way by the Filipino community,' he said. 'You can't go to a place that delivers and not meet a member of that community in the long-term care home or hospitals, childcare or schools. This is a community that gives and gives and yesterday was a celebration of their culture.' ___ Gillies reported from Toronto. Associated Press journalists Manuel Valdes and Lindsey Wasson in Vancouver; Teresa Cerojano in Manila, Philippines; Christopher Weber in Los Angeles; and Hannah Schoenbaum in Salt Lake City, Utah, contributed to this report.
