A preliminary report by the City of Vancouver and police on the April 26 attack at the Lapu Lapu Day festival says officials took proper security measures before the event, which was classified “low risk.”
During the festival celebrating Filipino culture, an SUV rammed through a crowded street, killing 11 people.
The report, titled Joint Review of Outdoor Special Events Planning and Safety, reviewed city and security processes of event planning in the city in the wake of the attack.
Mayor Ken Sim said proper safety processes were followed for the festival.
“The event was well organized, all the right steps were taken, including multiple reviews sidewalks and coordination with first responders. But that doesn’t mean that those steps were enough,” Sim said during a May 16 news conference.
The preliminary report said city staff held a walk-through of the site on the morning of the festival and identified some vehicles that needed to be moved. Staff also confirmed there were sawhorses blocking access at approved areas.
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Interim Police Chief Steve Rai said that before the attack, there was nothing to indicate the day was going to be any different from the previous Lapu Lapu Day festival in 2024.
“It was classified as a family-friendly event, and the risk assessment would not have warranted heavy barricades,” he said.
Suspect Adam Kai-Ji Lo has been charged with eight counts of second-degree murder in connection with the attack. Police said more charges are likely. A mental health assessment has been ordered to determine if Lo is fit to stand trial.
B.C. Conservative’s public safety critic, Elenore Sturko, said police had been notified of Lo’s mental health issues.
“It’s been reported that a family member of Lo contacted the hospital hours before the attack concerned about his deteriorating mental health, and police had contact the day before,” she said in an April 29 post on the X platform.
She said it was clear that the help Lo was offered “failed.”
Sim called it the “darkest day in Vancouver’s history.”
”Families and friends came together to celebrate culture and community, and instead, they were met with devastation,” he said.
Sim said one of the urgent challenges is to address the growing threat of vehicles being used to cause harm.
”It’s a very deeply unsettling reality, and it’s forcing cities around the world to rethink what safety looks like in our streets, at our events, and in the public spaces that we all share.”
He said since the tragedy, security measures for community events have been increased, including through the use of additional heavy vehicles and barriers.
The mayor said that a centralized database has been developed to monitor threats and risks in relation to upcoming events.
The interim report says police did not recommend a dedicated deployment at the festival. It said the event application rated its complexity as high, with about 100,000 people expected to attend. In 2024, the number was 50,000.
RJ Aquino, chair of Filipino BC, which organized the Lapu Lapu Day festival, said in a statement that the organization engaged with the city and police in a “thorough risk assessment process” which is required by event organizers.
“As stated in this preliminary report, Filipino BC met all requirements and followed the appropriate process related to planning an event. We look forward to learning more about what potential measures may be required for all future events in Vancouver when the final report is released,” he said.
Rai said that any organizer of a community event in Vancouver that requests police support will get it, despite the cost.
“We will support the community and should to help us get through this phase,” he said.
A provincial inquiry is being led by former Chief Justice of the B.C. Supreme Court Christopher Hinkson. It will be researching best practices for safety and security at community events, and making recommendations. It will be released by June 30.
The final report from the city and police will be released by August 27.
The Canadian Press contributed to the article.
