Latest news with #VancouverPD
Vancouver Sun
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Vancouver Sun
Steve Rai is Vancouver police's new chief constable
The Vancouver Police Department has a new chief constable, and he's a familiar face to the department. Deputy Chief Steve Rai, who has been serving as interim chief since the retirement of Adam Palmer earlier this year, has been appointed as the police force's 32nd chief constable. The police board reached a decision to appoint Rai on Thursday following a 'demanding and comprehensive' search, including using the assistance of a third-party executive recruitment firm that specializes in policing. 'We are looking for a leader with deep operational experience, sound judgment, and the trust of not just the community but of the department as well, and we did find that leader in Steve Rai,' said Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim. Huge congratulations to #VPD Interim Chief Steve Rai on his well-deserved promotion to Chief Constable of the Vancouver Police Department! @DeputyChiefRai @VancouverPD @VanPoliceBoard @CityofVancouver @KenSimCity @BCPoliceChiefs @CACP_ACCP @MjrCitiesChiefs The son of immigrants, Rai was born in the Punjab region of India and grew up in Vancouver. 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. His father found work in the VPD's building services team, 'the same organization where his son today would become chief,' said Sim. Rai has served with the VPD for more than 30 years, starting his career as a patrol officer in Vancouver's east side. His many roles within the department include being a hostage negotiator, forensic interviewer, community policing officer, field trainer, and commander of the public order unit. He has led public order operations during major citywide events, including the Occupy Vancouver protests, the 2010 Winter Olympics, and the 2011 Stanley Cup riot. Rai also has experience in key VPD areas, including human resources and training and recruitment, and served as deputy chief of support services. Rai had a baptism of fire the day he became acting chief duties when the horrific Lapu Lapu Day festival attack killed 11 people and injured dozens more. The tragedy drew international media attention and shone a spotlight on Rai as he spoke to reporters from the scene, calling April 26 'the darkest day in our city's history.' He appeared at subsequent news conferences alongside Sim and other officials and spoke at a memorial mass for the victims of the attack at Holy Rosary Cathedral. 'We were looking for a leader who can really jump in,' said Sim. 'First day on the job, absolutely incredible.' Contract negotiations for Rai's position are underway and will be finalized in the coming days, said police board chair Frank Chong. The talent pool for the position within Canada is 'very small,' he said. There was a shortlist of fewer than 10 candidates. chchan@
Indian Express
28-04-2025
- Indian Express
Suspect in Vancouver car ramming attack that killed 11, charged with 8 counts of murder
The suspect in the deadly car ramming attack in Canada's Vancouver that killed 11 people and injured dozen others at a Filipino heritage festival has been charged with eight counts of second degree murder, prosecutors said. British Columbia prosecution service said that a possibility of adding more charges against suspect Kai-Ji Adam Lo, 30 was possible as the investigating team ruled out the terror angle and informed that suspect Lo has had a history of mental health issues. Lo, who is a resident of Vancouver, appeared in court after being detained on Saturday and continues to remain in custody, prosecutors said. Update: Suspect charged in Lapu Lapu Day mass-casualty incident A suspect has been charged with murder in the death of multiple festival-goers at a Filipino community block party Saturday night. Eleven people, aged 5 to 65, were killed, and more than two dozen others injured… — Vancouver Police (@VancouverPD) April 27, 2025 Canada PM Mark Carney, who visited the attack site in Vancouver on Sunday, said that the attack which came two days ahead of national election had left the country 'shocked, devastated and heartbroken'. Vancouver police chief Steve Rai called the deadly car ramming attack 'the darkest day' in history and told the media that it was 'impossible to overstate how many lives have been impacted for ever' by the lone driver. The attack at the Lapu Lapu festival has left our country shocked, devastated, and heartbroken. To those grieving, to those who were injured, to the Filipino Canadian community, and to everyone in Vancouver: Canada is mourning with you, and we are united behind you. — Mark Carney (@MarkJCarney) April 27, 2025 Rai further added in the press briefing that 'The person we have in custody does have a significant history of interactions with police and health care professionals related to mental health.' Till now, the authorities have not released the names of the victims but have said the deceased are aged between five and 65. Some of those injured remain in a critical condition. At least 11 people were killed and dozens of them were injured when a black SUV plowed into the crowd of people gathered to celebrate Lapu Lapu Day festival around 8pm on Saturday. The driver, Lo, was arrested by the authorities at the incident site. Vancouver police chief Rai told the media that the suspect Lo was apprehended by the public before being arrested by authorities. When asked if a video which is being circulated on social media showing a man surrounded by bystanders and screaming and swearing 'I'm sorry,' was Lo, Rai declined to comment on it.
Toronto Star
27-04-2025
- Toronto Star
Multiple dead after SUV plows through Vancouver Filipino festival, man arrested
VANCOUVER - Police in Vancouver say nine people are dead after an SUV plowed through a Vancouver street festival being staged by the city's Filipino community Saturday night, leaving a trail of debris and victims in its wake. Witness Nic Magtajas described an SUV roaring through the Lapu Lapu Day crowd at high speed, sending pedestrians' bodies flying. I am shocked and deeply saddened by the horrific incident at today's Lapu Lapu Day event. We will work to provide more information as soon as we can, but at this time @VancouverPD have confirmed that there are a number of fatalities and multiple injuries. Our thoughts are with… — Mayor Ken Sim (@KenSimCity) April 27, 2025 Shocked & heartbroken to hear of the lives lost & those injured at the Lapu Lapu festival. Police are investigating & a suspect is in custody. We are in contact with the City of Vancouver and will provide any support needed. My thoughts are with the victims and their loved ones. — David Eby (@Dave_Eby) April 27, 2025 I am horrified to learn of an incident at Vancouver's Lapu Lapu Day celebrations that injured and killed innocent people. As we wait to learn more, our thoughts are with the victims and their families – and Vancouver's Filipino community, who were coming together today to… — Jagmeet Singh (@theJagmeetSingh) April 27, 2025
Yahoo
27-04-2025
- Yahoo
At least nine dead, multiple injured in Vancouver after car drives through Filipino festival
At least nine people were killed and many were injured after a man drove into a crowd at the Filipino heritage festival in Vancouver, police said early Sunday morning. According to Vancouver police, a man drove into a large crowd of people gathered for the Lapu Lapu Day festival around 8:14 p.m. Police confirmed the nine deaths and several injuries after the incident. The suspect, a 30-year-old Vancouver man, was arrested at the scene and has been taken into custody. Vancouver authorities said they were investigating the case, but 'at this time' they did not believe it to be an act of terrorism. Interim Vancouver Police Chief Steve Rai said at a press conference that a man was arrested after he was initially apprehended by bystanders, The Associated Press reported. During the press conference, Rai said it was believed the man was acting alone and he is someone who was 'known to police in certain circumstances,' the news service reported. Multiple videos posted online appear to show victims and debris strewn on a long stretch of road, with several people lying on the ground of the South Vancouver neighborhood. The vehicle driven by the man, a black SUV, had a crumpled front. Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim said in a post on X that he was shocked and deeply saddened by the incident. 'We will work to provide more information as soon as we can, but at this time @VancouverPD have confirmed there are a number of fatalities and multiple injuries,' Sim said. 'Our thoughts are will all those affected and with Vancouver's Filipino community during this time.' Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney also said he was devastated to hear the news and said he was monitoring the situation closely. 'I offer my deepest condolences to the loved ones of those killed and injured, to the Filipino Canadian community, and to everyone in Vancouver,' Carney said online. 'We are all mourning with you.' The celebration was in honor of Datu Lapu-Lapuannd Indigenous chieftain who stood up to Spanish explorers in the 16th century in the face of colonization. Vancouver, which is part of the British Columbia province, has recognized the celebration since 2023 in honor of the large Filipino immigrant community in the area. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Time of India
27-04-2025
- Time of India
Vancouver car attack not an 'act of terrorism', accused 'Asian man' was known to police
Vancouver car attack suspect was known to the police in "certain circumstances". The Vancouver Police have confirmed that the car attack on a festive crowd celebrating Lapu Lapu Day was not a terrorist attack. The 30-year-old accused, believed to be an Asian man from a video going viral on social media in the aftermath of the attack, was known to police "in certain circumstances," interim police chief Steve Rai said in a midnight news briefing after nine people were killed and multiple others were injured. The driver of the black SUV slammed into the crowd after 8pm near East 41st Avenue and Fraser Street, where the Lapu Lapu Day Block Party was winding down, after drawing up to 100,000 people through the day. "We are confident that this incident was not an act of terrorism," Vancouver police said on X. — VancouverPD (@VancouverPD) Liberal Leader Mark Carney posted on X that he is "devastated" and offered his condolences to the "loved ones of those killed and injured." Carney had been scheduled to spend part of Sunday in British Columbia, but his campaign issued a statement early Sunday saying that his plans have been delayed. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Secure Your Child's Future with Strong English Fluency Planet Spark Learn More Undo NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh made a campaign stop at the festival and left minutes before the incident happened. "This is a festival with kids there. There are families there," he said. "I don't have the words to describe the pain that I'm feeling right now thinking about the lives that were lost," Singh said. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre said on X, "My thoughts are with the Filipino community and all the victims targeted by this senseless attack." The suspect was held by the crowd until the police arrived and in a viral video he was seen saying sorry to the enraged crowd. The suspect looked dazed and lost in the unverified video. Lapu Lapu Day is an annual festival organized by British Columbia's Filipino community. No motive has been given for the attack while officials are investigating the mental state of the suspect.
