British Columbia’s Health Ministry says the man accused of killing 11 people at a Vancouver festival was under the care of a mental health team, but there was nothing to indicate a change in his condition that warranted involuntarily hospitalization.
A ministry statement says the man alleged to have driven an SUV through a crowd of festival goers was “being followed closely” under the Mental Health Act by his Vancouver Coastal Health care team.
The statement says Adam Kai-Ji Lo gave “no indication of violence” in his presentation to the health team.
Interim Vancouver Police Chief Steve Rai said the morning after Saturday’s attack that the suspect had a “significant history of interactions with police and health-care professionals related to mental health.”
Lo, 30, faces eight counts of second-degree murder so far and police have said more charges are expected.
Dozens more were hurt in the attack on the Filipino community’s Lapu Lapu Day festival that sent victims flying as the vehicle sped through a crowded street lined with food trucks.
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The information about the man’s mental health care team came as Premier David Eby announced the launch of an independent commission to look into making public events safer.
However, Eby said he won’t interfere in the criminal case of the man he calls a “mass murderer” by immediately setting off a public inquiry into the attack.
Eby said the commission will have a “quick turnaround” to get full answers for organizers of events and festivals in the province by June.
He told a news conference outside the legislature that the government would launch a public inquiry into the attack if the criminal case doesn’t provide answers the public needs.
The premier said he would like to set off an inquiry now but that could compromise the criminal investigation and prosecution.
“I think this individual is a mass murderer. I think he should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law,” Eby said.
He said there are many people who struggle with mental health issues, but the suspect “made the decision to run down children and seniors at a celebration in the community.
“We’ll leave the ultimate decision to the courts but that’s my opinion.”
Police have said Lo was apprehended by bystanders after the attack before he was arrested at the scene.
Eby said he was committed to getting the answers people want, but also that the province have a mental health system that keeps people who are struggling and the broader community safe.
He said that under the Public Inquiry Act the government can appoint a commission, collect information, do interviews and act quickly to deliver independent information to residents.
In a matter as urgent as this, Eby said timeliness is a critical part of the review. He said he wanted the public to be able to “gather and celebrate” over the summer without feeling unsafe.
Eby said the No. 1 priority is ensuring justice for the Filipino community, and that the accused man is “held and tried and convicted for these murders.”
The Health Ministry’s statement said that 16 victims of the attack remain in hospital, some in critical condition and others with serious injuries.
Three members of a family of Colombian immigrants were meanwhile identified among the 11 people killed.
Metro Vancouver resident Alejandro Samper said he lost his mother Glitza Maria Caicedo, his father Daniel Samper and his sister Glitza Daniela Samper in the attack.
