Vancouver police investigate a crime scene after a man drove into pedestrians at the annual Lapu Lapu festival celebrating Filipino culture, at East 43rd Avenue and Fraser, in the south of Vancouver on April 26, 2025. Don MacKinnon, AFP

VANCOUVER, Canada (UPDATED) -- Canada said Sunday that a man staged a deliberate attack by driving his car into a crowd at a Filipino street festival and killing nine people, but the assault was not considered to be terrorism.

With the country in shock a day before its national election, police spokesman Steve Rai said the lone 30-year-old male suspect arrested in the Saturday evening attack in the western city of Vancouver was known to police.

The Filipino community had gathered in the city's Sunset on Fraser neighborhood when festivalgoers were hit by a black SUV. The celebration called the Lapu Lapu Festival commemorates a Filipino anti-colonial leader from the 16th century.

Prime Minister Mark Carney, in a brief address to the nation, called the incident deliberate, saying Vancouver police describe it as "a car-ramming attack."

"Last night families lost a sister, a brother, a mother, a father, a son, or a daughter," he said, tearing up. "Those families are living every family's nightmare."

An AFP reporter saw police officers at the scene, with parts of the festival venue cordoned off.

Prime Minister Mark Carney said he was "devastated" by the "horrific events."

"I offer my deepest condolences to the loved ones of those killed and injured, to the Filipino Canadian community, and to everyone in Vancouver," he wrote on X.

Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre said in a tweet "I am shocked by the horrific news emerging from Vancouver's Lapu Lapu Day Festival tonight."

British Columbia premier David Eby said he was "shocked & heartbroken" by the news, while city mayor Ken Sim said "our thoughts are with all those affected and with Vancouver's Filipino community during this incredibly difficult time."

Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos said in a statement he was "completely shattered to hear about the terrible incident."

In a statement, the Department of Foreign Affairs said that together with the Philippine Consulate General in Vancouver, they are "ready to extend the appropriate assistance to the bereaved families." They also vowed to cooperate with Canadian authorities "to ensure that adequate support will be provided to our Filipino community."

READ: Marcos Jr. condoles with victims of Vancouver road rage

Footage posted online and verified by AFP shows a black SUV with a damaged hood parked on a street littered with debris, meters from first aiders tending to people lying on the ground.

Sheila Nocasa told AFP she left the festival 10 minutes before the incident but began receiving a flurry of messages that something had happened.

"It was a shock," said the resident of the nearby city of Surrey. "I feel very sorry and devastated.

Eyewitness Dale Selipe told the Vancouver Sun that she saw injured children on the street after the vehicle rammed into the crowd.

"There was a lady with her eyes staring up, one of her legs was already broken. One person was holding her hand trying to comfort her," Selipe told the newspaper.

"We are still finding the words to express the deep heartbreak brought on by this senseless tragedy," community group Filipino BC, the organizer of the Saturday event, said in an Instagram statement.

"We are focused on supporting our community right now, in addition to experiencing this trauma."

- 'Bodies everywhere' -

Festival security guard Jen Idaba-Castaneto told local news site Vancouver Is Awesome that she saw bodies everywhere.

"You don't know who to help, here or there," she said.

King Charles said he was "profoundly saddened" by the incident.

Saturday's event featured a parade, a film screening, dancing and a concert, with two members of the Black Eyed Peas featured on the lineup published by the organizers.

Apl.de.ap of the Black Eyed Peas had just finished his performance and there were still a lot of festival-goers at the site when the incident happened.

"The Philippine Consulate General in Vancouver expresses its deep concern and sympathies to the victims of the horrific incident at the Lapu Lapu Day Block Party today," the consulate general said in an official statement.

"As we await more information about the incident, we pray that our community remains strong and resilient imbued with the spirit of bayanihan during this difficult time," it added.

Meanwhile, Philippine Ambassador to Canada Ma. Andrelita Austria has expressed shock at the tragic incident that happened at the Lapulapu Festival in Vancouver. 

Austria said she is heartbroken by the horrific turn of events. She also expressed concern that people may need help and said the embassy would like to offer assistance in any way it can.

Lapu Lapu Day is celebrated in the Philippines in remembrance of Indigenous chief Lapulapu, who led his men to defeat Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan in battle in 1521.

UFCABC called on the community to remain united at this difficult time while Migrante BC called on the Vancouver police for a transparent investigation.

"We call on the Filipino community to come together — to offer strength, compassion, and support to one another during this difficult time. Migrante BC stands ready to assist in any way we can and to support efforts for healing and accountability," the migrants' rights and welfare group said.

The Department of Foreign Affairs has yet to release a statement over the incident. 

The deadly incident comes a year after Canadian Nathaniel Veltman was sentenced to life in prison for running down a Muslim family with his truck on the street in Ontario in 2021.

The ruling in Veltman's case was the first in Canada to link white supremacy and terrorism in a murder case.

Canadians go to the polls Monday after a frenetic election race where candidates have wooed voters on issues including rising living costs and tackling US President Donald Trump's tariffs.

Carney is favored to win after assuring voters he can stand up to Washington's barrage of sweeping tariffs.

-- with Harlene Delgado and Rowena Papasin-Cando, ABS-CBN News

© Agence France-Presse

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