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CBC
30-04-2025
- CBC
Here's what we know about the confirmed victims of the Lapu-Lapu Day festival tragedy in Vancouver
Social Sharing More details are coming to light about those who died after an SUV rammed into a crowded street festival in Vancouver. Eleven people were killed and nearly 30 were injured on the evening of April 26 at the Lapu-Lapu Day event, which was meant to celebrate the Filipino-Canadian community. Police say the 11 people killed ranged in age from five to 65 years old. Kai-Ji Adam Lo, 30, has since been charged with eight counts of second-degree murder in connection with the crash. Here is what we know so far about those who died. This article will be updated as we learn more about the victims and confirm their identities. Jenifer Darbellay Vancouver mother Jenifer Darbellay has been identified by family and friends as one of the 11 people killed in Saturday's tragedy. Her husband, who was injured in the incident, said his physical injuries do not compare to the heartache of losing his wife. According to an online fundraiser, the couple has two children, aged seven and 15. "Everyone who's hugged me since then, I felt her," Noel Johansen said of his wife. "She never celebrated herself in her life. She never thought of herself. She thought of herself as small in terms of the reach, and I can tell you, she was larger than life." Glitza Daniela Samper, Glitza Maria Caicedo, Daniel Samper Alejandro Samper says he was getting ready for work when he received a call from his sister's fiancé about a "terrible accident." He would later confirm that his sister, Glitza Daniela Samper, his mother, Glitza Maria Caicedo, and his father, Daniel Samper, were among those in the crowd when an SUV drove through the festival in the area of Fraser Street and East 43rd Avenue. "I'm just destroyed," Samper said Tuesday. "My whole world's taken away from me." Richard Le, Linh Hoang, Katie Le Richard Le, 47, his wife Linh Hoang, 30, and their daughter Katie Le, 5, were among those who died Saturday, 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. "His entire life just changed overnight," he said, adding that the family is trying to stay strong for Andy. WATCH | 3 of his family members were killed in car ramming at Vancouver festival: 3 of his family members were killed in the Vancouver festival attack 1 day 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. Kira Salim The community in New Westminster is mourning the loss of Kira Salim, who was described by the city's school board as a friend and colleague. Originally from Brazil, Salim was a teacher-counsellor at both Fraser River Middle School and New Westminster Secondary. New West Pride also paid tribute to Salim, saying they were "a wonderful, exuberant contributor to our local community." They were also remembered for being an animal lover, with several pets. WATCH | Kira Salim remembered by her community: 1st victim identified in Lapu-Lapu Day festival tragedy 2 days ago Duration 5:59
CBC
29-04-2025
- CBC
Father, mother, 5-year-old daughter killed in Vancouver festival attack, leaving son behind
New Westminster, B.C., school counsellor also among those who died Image | RICHARD LE LINH HOANG KATIE LE Caption: From left: Richard Le, Andy, Katie Le and Linh Hoang, in an image posted to a fundraising website. Richard's son Andy was left without his father and stepmother after the crash, according to Richard's brother. (GoFundMe) Three members of the same family and a school counsellor have been identified as four of the 11 people killed in a vehicle ramming at a Filipino street festival in Vancouver on Saturday. The province has set up an online condolence book to sign in honour of the victims, with Vancouver police saying most of the victims in the alleged attack were female. The youngest victim of the tragedy is five years old, according to police, and the oldest is a 65-year-old man. Police said they would release all the victims' identities to the public in due course, following a trauma-informed approach. As of Monday afternoon, the province says 16 patients remain in hospital as a result of the alleged attack, and Vancouver police say seven of them have critical injuries. Here's what we know about the victims so far. The Le family Richard Le, 47, his wife Linh Hoang, 30, and their daughter Katie Le, 5, were among those who died at the Lapu-Lapu Day festival, according to Richard's brother Toan Le. He said the family was notified Richard had died at the scene Sunday morning, while his wife and daughter both passed away shortly after in the hospital. 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. "His entire life just changed overnight," he said, adding that the family is trying to stay strong for Andy. Toan said Andy has dreams of playing professional badminton and was hoping to do so with the help of his father, who was coaching him. Katie, the youngest of those who died in this attack, had just finished pre-school, according to Toan. "She was the life of the party. She was always so cheerful, happy. She always wants to play with her cousins," said Toan. "We're going to miss her so much." An online fundraiser for Andy has raised over $230,000 at the time of writing. "We're just one of many families that are going through this experience. It's senseless violence to innocent people, and as a society, we have to be better." Kira Salim A Monday statement from the New Westminster School Board said Kira Salim was killed at the street party. "The loss of our friend and colleague has left us all shocked and heartbroken," read the statement. "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." It said Salim was a counsellor at both Fraser River Middle School and New Westminster Secondary. "We are a small but mighty community. This is one of the qualities of New Westminster that Kira loved the most," it said. New West Pride also paid tribute to Salim in a Facebook post, noting they were "a wonderful, exuberant contributor to our local community." It described Salim as a volunteer, activist, local educator and mental health worker. Young breakdancer and mother hurt In addition to the 11 fatalities, dozens more people were injured in the alleged ramming attack. Among them were a mother, 43-year-old Christi-Ann Watkins, and her 11-year-old son Lennox — a breakdancer who had previously competed at provincial competitions. Matt Watkins, Christi's husband, said his wife is a DJ who was a participant and one of the main organizers of the Lapu-Lapu Festival. She and Lennox were in line at one of the event's food trucks when they were struck on Saturday, while Matt had driven their other child home. "It could have been all four of us in the hospital, or worse," Matt told CBC News. "It's very weird to feel guilty and so angry and so sad." Matt said his wife and son had avoided serious injury, but face a long road to recovery — and urged anyone who had the opportunity to help the families of victims.
CBC
28-04-2025
- CBC
Victim in Lapu-Lapu Day festival tragedy identified as school counsellor
Social Sharing A New Westminster school counsellor has been identified as one of the 11 people killed in a vehicle ramming at a Filipino street festival in Vancouver on Saturday. A Monday statement from the New Westminster School Board said Kira Salim was among those who died at the Lapu-Lapu Day festival. "The loss of our friend and colleague has left us all shocked and heartbroken," read the statement. "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." It said Salim was a counsellor at both Fraser River Middle School and New Westminster Secondary. "We are a small but mighty community. This is one of the qualities of New Westminster that Kira loved the most," it said. New West Pride also paid tribute to Salim in a Facebook post, noting they were "a wonderful exuberant contributor to our local community." It described Salim as a volunteer, activist, local educator and mental health worker. The Ministry of Health said as of Sunday evening, 17 people remained in the hospital, some in critical and serious condition. Kai-Ji Adam Lo, 30, has been charged with eight counts of second-degree murder and Vancouver police say more charges will likely come when more victims are identified.
