B.C. marks day of mourning for victims of Lapu-Lapu Day festival tragedy
British Columbians are gathering to reflect, leave messages, and take part in memorial events
Events are taking place across British Columbia to remember those who died in the Lapu-Lapu Day festival tragedy in East Vancouver on Saturday evening.
The B.C. government has declared Friday an official day of remembrance and mourning for the victims of the tragedy, which saw 11 people killed and dozens more injured when the driver of an SUV rammed into the crowd at a Filipino street festival.
Groups across B.C. have made plans to mark the occasion, with vigils and masses set for Friday and the weekend.
The public can sign a book of condolences in the main lobby of Vancouver City Hall starting Friday through to May 15, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Residents can also share a message of condolence online.
Vancouver resident Linda Yan was among those who signed in person.
"I was born in Vancouver and I never imagined this kind of tragedy would happen here," she said. "It just seems that at an event where people should feel safe, now we kind of have to be on edge."
The public is also welcome to sign a book of condolences at the B.C. Legislature in Victoria.
'Hope something like this never happens again'
At the memorial near the scene of the incident at Fraser and East 41st Avenue, locals came in a steady stream Friday morning, placing bouquets of flowers and lighting candles in memory of those lost. A message board was hung on the fence enclosing the John Oliver Secondary School compound, where people wrote personal notes.
Nathaniel Fernandez, a Filipino Canadian who lives in the neighbourhood, said it was difficult to visit the site in the days following the attack.
"As a Filipino, it just hits hard," he told CBC News. "I think we can't let this define us though, and hopefully next year we will have a Lapu-Lapu festival again and we will get to honour those affected."
He said he was moved by the number of people of all ages and backgrounds who came to pay their respects.
"Vancouver is a caring city," he added. "I hope something like this never happens again."
Mayor, premier speak on tragedy's deep impact
In a written statement, Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim said the city stands with the province in observing the day of mourning.
"What happened last Saturday was one of the darkest days in our city's history. A celebration meant to uplift community, culture, and pride was shattered by an unthinkable act of violence," he said.
Sim said the pain caused by the tragedy is being felt well beyond the festival grounds and praised the response of first responders and community members.
"We are devastated. We are heartbroken. And we are standing together in grief and in solidarity," he said. "Though the Lapu-Lapu Day celebration was rooted in Filipino heritage, the impact of this tragedy has touched people of all backgrounds."
He added that the city will work to ensure the lives lost are never forgotten and that their memory remains part of Vancouver's shared history.
B.C. Premier David Eby also issued a statement recognizing the magnitude of the tragedy.
"To everyone suffering: Your pain is our pain. Your loss is our loss. We stand with you," Eby said.
He emphasized that Filipino Canadians are deeply woven into the fabric of B.C.
"Filipino Canadians have a well-earned reputation as a giving community. Now, it is our turn to give back. To offer care. To offer solace. To offer hugs and support. To take steps to ensure such an atrocity never happens again."
He said the attack will not deter British Columbians from gathering to celebrate their cultures and identities.
Vancouver MLA calls for healing and continued support
Vancouver MLA Mable Elmore says she remains "heartbroken" by the tragedy but is committed to supporting those directly affected. She says the day of mourning is not only a time to grieve and remember the victims, but also an opportunity to heal.
"Anybody who's been impacted, reach out, don't be isolated, ask for help," she said. "Help is there to support the victims and families, but also those who witnessed it."
Elmore, who represents Vancouver-Kensington and is a member of the Filipino Canadian community, was at the scene in the aftermath of the incident. Video circulating online shows her near the accused, Kai-Ji Adam Lo, trying to de-escalate tensions as bystanders closed in.
"The crowd was very angry and understandably so," she said. "We had to wait for the police to arrive to take him into custody."
She said several community members who volunteered at the festival were injured.
"A couple of volunteers still remain in hospital," she said. "Some were injured but have been released."
Masses and vigils
Matthew Furtado, director of communications for the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Vancouver, said several Catholic parishes are hosting memorial masses and prayer vigils to honour those lost in the tragedy.
"In our faith tradition, we really understand the importance of coming together in times of grief, in times of end of life, in times of sickness," Furtado told CBC News. "A memorial mass in the Catholic tradition is not just a time to look behind, but also a time to look ahead, that we believe in eternal life."
Archbishop J. Michael Miller led a memorial mass at Holy Rosary Cathedral in downtown Vancouver Friday evening for people directly affected by the tragedy.
The church was packed with mourners — many from the Filipino community — along with dignitaries including Premier David Eby, Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim and interim Vancouver police Chief Steve Rai.
Archbishop Miller called the festival attack "an unspeakable tragedy."
"[It] leaves us grieving and deeply disturbed," he told mourners, who he said also included relatives of those killed.
Miller said the day of mourning recognized that lives were bound together and that "we cannot face tragedy isolated, one from another."
"We need a community of solidarity to support and help us as we walk through this valley of darkness," he said.
Eby told relatives of victims he could not imagine "the depth of your grief."
Sim said it was moving to witness communities uniting in mourning.
"There is a lot of sadness, there's fear, there's anger and a lot of emotions," he said, adding that public events like this offer a space for collective healing.
Sim acknowledged that recent events may leave some feeling uneasy about attending large gatherings, but emphasized that public festivals and community events remain safe. "Each one goes through security protocols and risk assessments," he said.
He noted that the upcoming BMO Vancouver Marathon, scheduled for Sunday, will have increased security measures in place.
"My son's running in it as well, so there's a personal reason … if I didn't think it was safe, I wouldn't have my son running," Sim said.
St. Mary's Parish in East Vancouver held a candlelight prayer vigil and pilgrimage to the site of the tragedy.
Other memorial masses in B.C. include:
Friday
- St. Andrew's Cathedral, Victoria, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday
- Immaculate Conception Parish, Delta, 9 a.m.
- St. Andrew's Parish, Vancouver, 11:30 a.m.
- St. Joseph's Parish, Langley, 6:15 p.m.
Monday
- St. Francis de Sales Parish, Burnaby, 6 p.m.
Furtado said Archbishop Miller has called for a collection to be taken up this weekend at all Catholic parishes in support of the families and survivors of the tragedy.
Candlelight vigils will also take place at the Chilliwack Central Community Park on Friday at 7 p.m., and Langara College on Sunday at 7 p.m.
Lo, 30, faces eight counts of second-degree murder in connection to the crash, although police have said more charges may come as their investigation continues.
With files from Rafferty Baker and The Canadian Press