Vancouver attack 'heartbreaking for all of us,' says Winnipeg Filipino pastor mourning street festival deaths

Junie Josue woke up Sunday morning in Winnipeg, like much of the country, to the news of a deadly attack that wrenched his heart and those of many in the Filipino community.

"In my 26 years [in this country], this is the saddest and the worst thing that happened to us, this is [very] much devastating," the Filipino-Canadian and senior pastor at the International Worship Centre told CBC News.

The night before, more than 1,800 kilometres west of his church, a driver slammed a black SUV into a crowd at the Lapu Lapu Day Block Party in Vancouver, killing at least 11 people and injuring dozens more at the Filipino street festival, in what local police are referring to as the "darkest day" in the city's history.

"What started as a celebration became a tragedy," Josue said. "[It's] heartbreaking for all of us." 

The deadly car-ramming is not being investigated as an act of terrorism by Vancouver police, who said the suspect, a 30-year-old male resident of the city, has a history of mental health-related interactions with authorities.

The attack upended the last day of the federal election campaign and sent shock waves throughout Canada, with an outpouring of support and condolences coming from across the country. 

During Sunday's church service, Josue thought about the families of those mourning the death of a loved one. He also prayed for those who were injured in the attack.

But in the wake of a devastating event, he also knows the Filipino community will stand up to help one another move past this calamity — bringing a close-knit community that already sees itself as a big family even closer. 

"Everybody's linking arms and, you know, just encouraging and supporting those who have been affected," Josue said. 

Similar cultural events are held in Winnipeg to celebrate the Filipino community and its heritage. Josue is hoping those celebrations will go on this year because, despite what happened in Vancouver, "we don't want to live in fear; we want to live with optimism and hope," he said. 

In light of the car-ramming, the chairman of the Manitoba Filipino Street Festival said the organization might need to reconsider whether to hold its annual parade on the streets of Winnipeg or at an indoor venue out of a concern for safety. 

"This is not a regular incident. This is an isolated incident … we just have to be careful," chairman Ley Navarro said.

People at his church also prayed for those who were killed in the attack and their families.

"Prayer actually makes it easier for us to really understand all of this," he said. 

Dozens attend vigil

Dozens of people attended a vigil in Winnipeg on Sunday evening to grieve the 11 people killed in Vancouver and show support for the many others injured in the attack. 

Attendees gathered in a parking lot on Inkster Boulevard near Keewatin Street, holding candles while listening to speakers that included Winnipeg North federal election candidates from across the political spectrum as well as local MLAs.

Radisson NDP MLA Jelynn Dela Cruz gave an emotional speech to the crowd. 

"A family friend of mine has a two year old in the ICU right now because of that driver," she said. 

Leila Castro, a community advocate who spoke at the vigil, said she found out about the attack shortly after it happened Saturday night, staying up until 4 a.m. to watch for updates on social media.

"This is very important for every Filipino, even if Vancouver is far away from Winnipeg," Castro said.

"My heart, my mind, it is with them. I just wish [the] community is there beside them, helping them going through it."

MLAs, mayor, premier respond

Malaya Marcelino, the NDP MLA for Notre Dame, said the attack left her "feeling sick."

"The Filipino community in Manitoba is praying for those who were killed and injured and for those directly affected by this horrific incident," Marcelino, who came to Canada from the Philippines as a child , wrote in a statement posted to Facebook on Sunday. 

Winnipeg Mayor Scott Gillingham referred to the attack as "appalling," offering his condolences on behalf of the city on social media. Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew shared a similar message, saying people in the province are mourning and standing with the Filipino community.

Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs Grand Chief Kyra Wilson condemned the attack on a statement Sunday, saying there is no excuse and no justification for violence "that tears apart families and communities." 

"Every life is sacred, and no individual or community should have to endure such pain," she said in her statement while also offering her condolences on behalf of AMC.

Garrison Settee, grand chief of Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak, extended his support to the Filipino community on behalf of the organization that represents 26 First Nation communities in Manitoba's north.

"In our ways, life is a sacred gift. When that gift is taken from us unjustly, we grieve together, we heal together, and we pray together," Settee said in a statement.