Suspect in Lapu Lapu festival attack found mentally fit to stand trial

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – A provincial court here found the 30-year-old man accused of killing 11 people by ramming his sport utility vehicle into a crowd during a Filipino heritage festival is mentally fit to stand trial.

Kai-Ji Adam Lo faces multiple counts of second-degree murder in the tragedy that struck the Lapu Lapu Day Street festival in Vancouver, British Columbia, on April 26. Dozens of people were also injured.

Provincial Court Judge Reg Harris ruled Tuesday that Lo has been found mentally fit to stand trial on murder charges, according to a CBC News report.

“In conclusion, I’m satisfied that Mr. Lo is currently fit to stand trial. Specifically, he is able to conduct his defence, he knows the nature and the object and the consequences of the proceedings,” the report quoted Harris. “Further, he is able and willing to communicate with his lawyer.” Harris ordered Lo to remain at the facility.

A black SUV allegedly driven by Lo sped through a crowd ramming people lining up before food trucks or walking slowly on their way home as the Lapu-Lapu festival events were winding down. Participants and organizers of the street party restrained Lo and turned him over to the police shortly after the attack.

The fatalities were identified by the Vancouver Police Department as Jenifer Darbellay, 50; Kira Ganapol Salim, 34; Vicky Bjarnason, 55; Glitza Daniela Samper, 30; Glitza Maria Caicedo-Samper, 60; Daniel Samper Toro, 65; Jendhel Sico, 27; Richard Le, 47; Katie Le, 5; Linh Hoang, 30 and Nerissa Pagkanlungan, 46.

Police initially charged Lo with 11 counts of second-degree murder.

On Tuesday, the British Columbia Prosecution Service filed 31 counts of attempted murder in relation to those injured in the attack, bringing the criminal charges to a total of 42.

“This is another step toward answers and accountability in one of the most horrific incidents our city has ever faced, and I extend my deepest condolences to everyone impacted by the Lapu Lapu Festival attack,” Chief Constable Steve Rai of the Vancouver Police Department (VPD) said in a news release. “I have deep gratitude to all of the Vancouver Police personnel who have investigated this mass casualty incident, and I thank the BC Prosecution Service for its diligence during the charge-assessment process.”

Lo appeared at the provincial court for a three-day hearing in July to determine if he is mentally fit to stand trial for the attack. Police had said that Lo had a significant history of mental health interactions with law enforcers.

The CBC News report said the issue covered by the court ruling “was not the state of Lo’s mental health on April 26, but rather his present condition.”

Held for the second year to celebrate Filipino culture and heritage, the Lapu-Lapu festival drew thousands of Filipino Canadians and other community members. The festival was named after a chieftain who fought Spanish colonizers in the 16th century.

Shock, sorrow and fury

BC residents, including an estimated 172,915 Filipinos, were left with an intense feeling of shock, sorrow and fury. Many of those who had been at the festival are still reeling from the tragedy.

Diane Zapata, vice chairperson of the grassroots Filipino migrants rights group Migrante BC, said many of those who witnessed the incident are still “healing.”

“Those traumatized will need a long time to recover,” she said.

Filipino BC, which organized the Lapu-Lapu Festival, said in a statement that the court decision “brings relief to many community members who hope a criminal trial will provide long-awaited answers to the unimaginable violence of that day.”

The group said it will continue to follow the proceedings closely.

“We expect this to be a lengthy and complex case given its medical-legal aspects. No matter the outcome, we are committed to supporting community members and responding to the needs that may arise as a criminal trial unfolds,” Filipino BC said.

The Rise Up for Accountability and Justice, a national alliance of Filipino community organizations in Canada, is calling on the government to address the concerns and problems highlighted by the tragedy. It also called for more transparency in the investigation and prosecution of the suspect.

The court has imposed a publication ban on information revealed during Lo’s hearing. Media organizations have asked the ban to be lifted.

Last week, the City of Vancouver and VPD released their final report based on a joint review on planning and security measures following the tragedy.

The 33-page report concluded that the city’s safety planning and permitting protocols “were appropriately followed for the 2025 Lapu Lapu Day Block Party” and that the event was also appropriately assessed as low-risk.

The report also issued eight recommendations to strengthen safety measures for special events including developing “hostile vehicle mitigation measures.”

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