Latest news with #Lapu-Lapuday
CBC
29-04-2025
- CBC
3 members of family from Colombia died in B.C. festival attack, says son
Three members of a family of Colombian immigrants have been identified among the people killed in a vehicle ramming in Vancouver on Saturday. Metro Vancouver resident Alejandro Samper says he lost his mother Glitza Maria Caicedo, his father Daniel Samper and his sister Glitza Daniela Samper in the alleged attack. A 30-year-old man faces eight counts of second-degree murder after 11 people were killed and dozens more were hurt at the Filipino community's Lapu-Lapu Day festival Saturday night. It was just as the festival was coming to an end that an SUV plowed through a crowed of people in the area of Fraser Street and East 43rd Avenue. Samper says he rushed to the scene of the tragedy after receiving a call from his sister's fiancé about a "terrible accident," but he wasn't allowed in by police. He says he went to Vancouver General Hospital, where his sister passed away early Sunday morning, but he still hasn't seen his parents' bodies and he wasn't able to say goodbye. Samper says his family was his "whole world," that his parents "sacrificed" everything to move them to Canada in the early 2000s, in part to escape the violence of their native Colombia. He says he's at a loss to understand what happened and why it occurred after hearing about the suspect's mental health and the lack of security barriers at the event. Police are expected to provide an update into their investigation at 2:30 p.m. PT Tuesday. Independent commission British Columbia Premier David Eby says his government will launch an independent commission into the alleged attack and a public inquiry if the criminal case doesn't provide answers the public is looking for. Eby says the commission will have a "quick turnaround" to get full answers for organizers of events and festivals in the province by June. WATCH | Toan Le says three members of his family killed in Lapu-Lapu day tragedy: 3 of his family members were killed in the Vancouver festival attack 1 hour ago Duration 2:55 Richard Le, 47, his wife Linh Hoang, 30, and their daughter Katie Le, 5, were among those who were killed at the Lapu-Lapu Day festival, according to Richard's brother Toan Le. Toan said Richard had a 16-year-old son, Andy, who had stayed at home that day. Hoang was Andy's stepmom, Toan said, and had raised him like he was her own. He says he wants the public to be able to "gather and celebrate" over the summer without feeling unsafe. The premier says if it weren't for the police investigation and upcoming criminal trial, his government would already be calling a public inquiry. Eby says the number one priority is ensuring justice for the Filipino community, ensuring that the accused man is "held and tried and convicted for these murders." The premier says the government is committed to getting all of the answers about how this could have happened.
The Province
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Province
'Our hearts are broken': Artists speak out after Lapu Lapu Day tragedy
Ap and J-Rey, both of the American musical group Black Eyed Peas, had just finished performing when the devastating attack unfolded. Attendees at the annual Lapu-Lapu day event in Vancouver Saturday. The event is a celebration of the Filipino community. An attack late Saturday night killed 11 people. Photo by Jason Payne / PNG Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page. Headlining performers from the Lapu-Lapu Day Block Party took to social media to share their sentiments following the festival tragedy. 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 Ap and J-Rey, both of the American musical group Black Eyed Peas, issued a joint statement on Instagram on Sunday noting their 'hearts are broken for the victims, their families, and everyone affected by the tragedy at the Lapu-Lapu Festival.' The two artists had just left the mainstage of the event where they led the festival's entertainment offering on Saturday night before a black SUV sped through a pedestrian-only area at the Filipino community celebrations in south Vancouver. 'J-Rey and I had just finished performing and left the stage minutes before it happened,' Ap shared in the post. According to a press release shared prior to the festival, the event was scheduled to take place from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. The car drove into the crowd around 8:14 p.m., according to police. 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. 'It's hard to describe the shock and the heaviness we feel,' wrote Ap. Adding sentiments of thanks for all who had checked in following the tragedy, Ap asked fans and followers to keep the victims, families and organizers of the Lapu Lapu Day Block Party in their prayers. 'They need all the love and strength right now,' said Ap. of The Black Eyed Peas. Photo by Darren Brown / Darren Brown/Ottawa Sun/QMI Agen While shared as a joint statement, J-Rey took to the comments section of the social media post to add additional sentiments. 'We came to Vancouver to celebrate and be with our community,' the Filipino-American singer wrote. 'Devastated beyond words to learn about the tragedy that unfolded. Still in shock. Thoughts and prayers to everyone and all the families affected. Sending love and prayers to all the Filipinos in B.C.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Swiggle Mandela also performed at the Vancouver festival on Saturday. Accompanied by a video from the day, which shows the rapper performing in front of a crowd, the rapper highlighted the positivity he witnessed at the event prior to the car-ramming attack. 'I witnessed the horrific tragedy that took away so many innocent loving people in a senseless act of violence,' Swiggle Mandela shared. 'And while the whole world is mourning for obvious reasons, I also want to highlight the positivity and how incredible Lapu Lapu Day was, because majority of what is being shown is the negativity that took place, and I think it is important to try and share some positivity.' The Portland-based artist said he is 'heartbroken for Vancouver B.C. and the Filipino community worldwide' and pledged to do whatever he can to help the victims. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'Lapulapu day was a beautiful celebration of our Filipino heritage. It was a victory for Filipino people all over the world and for our ancestors,' Swiggle Mandela wrote. 'It was a soul shaking event, and all of the artists were incredible. The attendees were nothing short of amazing. 'When I begin to hear about the terrible tragedy, all I could think was those are the people who were showing us so much hospitality, love, and support. Those are my people, screaming, and crying. My soul is absolutely torn, especially for the children. No one deserves this. As Filipino people we have gone through so much from colonization and more and I'm not sure how but we will overcome this. 'I just want to say Mahal Kita to everyone who is affected and thank you to all of the friends who became family on this trip. We have to be there for each other. Salamat, I am with you all.' The current death toll from the tragedy is 11, with victims ranging in age from 5 to 65. Many more people remain in hospital with injuries. Aharris@ Read More National Local News Sports Celebrity News
