5-Year-Old Among 11 Killed At Lapu Lapu Festival Car-Ramming Attack In Canada

A 5-year-old was among the 11 who were killed in the vehicle ramming attack during the Lapu Lapu Day Festival in Vancouver, Canada.

She was with her father, Richard Le, and his wife, Linh Hoang, who also lost their lives, according to Richard’s brother, Toan Le.

According to an Associated Press (AP) report, Richard Le’s 16-year-old son, who decided to stay back to finish his homework, is in a state of shock. His sister Katie Le was nearing graduation from kindergarten and was described as a vibrant and joyful child on a GoFundMe page.

The black Audi SUV raced down a street closed off for the Lapu Lapu Day festival on Saturday evening, lined with food trucks, and rammed into attendees of the event, held in honour of Datu Lapu-Lapu, the Indigenous chieftain known for resisting Spanish colonisers in the 16th century.

Thirty-two people were hurt. Seven were in critical condition and three were in serious condition at hospitals on Monday, as per the AP report.

ALSO READ: China: 22 Killed, 3 Injured After Fire In Restaurant In Liaoning

'Significant History Of Interactions With The Police'

Kai-Ji Adam Lo, 30, appeared via video before a judge on Sunday and was charged with eight counts of second-degree murder, according to Damienne Darby, a spokeswoman for British Columbia prosecutors. Lo has not yet entered a plea.

A woman who answered the phone Monday at the residence of Lisa Lo, the mother of Kai-Ji Adam Lo, said she was too distraught to speak with the media. Investigators noted that additional charges could be filed and confirmed that Lo has a history of mental health challenges.

Interim Police Chief Steve Rai stated that while a clear motive had not been established, the suspect has had “a significant history of interactions with police and health care professionals related to mental health.”

Lo’s brother, 31-year-old Alexander Lo, was killed in a homicide at his residence last year. Following the tragedy, Kai-Ji Lo launched an online fundraiser, since taken down, seeking donations to help cover his brother’s burial expenses.

world