A festive night celebrating Filipino culture in Vancouver ended in horror when a driver rammed his car into a large crowd. The incident, which happened on Saturday night, left at least many people dead and several others injured.

Some festival attendees helped stop the suspect right at the scene. Police later identified him as a 30-year-old man from Vancouver.

Vancouver Police confirmed in a statement, "As of now, we can confirm nine people have died after a man drove through a crowd at last night’s Lapu Lapu Festival. Our thoughts are with all those affected by this tragic incident."

Festival Was Meant to Celebrate Culture

The Lapu Lapu Festival, organized by British Columbia’s Filipino community, honors Datu Lapu-Lapu, an Indigenous hero who resisted Spanish colonization.

During the event, food trucks lined the streets, and performers showcased traditional Filipino dances under the bright spring sun. However, the cheerful atmosphere quickly turned into a nightmare. One witness described the scene as resembling a “war zone.”

Police Investigate Motive

So far, authorities have not shared any motive behind the crash. However, they strongly believe it was not an act of terrorism. A law enforcement source informed CNN that officials are exploring whether mental health issues played a role in the attack.

In a statement, police detailed the timeline: "At approximately 8:14 p.m. on April 26, a man drove into a large crowd of people attending the Lapu Lapu Day Festival near East 43rd Avenue and Fraser Street. A 30-year-old suspect, a Vancouver man, was arrested at the scene."

Suspect Known to Police

During a press briefing, Vancouver Police interim chief Steve Rai mentioned that the suspect was known to authorities "in certain circumstances." However, he refused to reveal more information, including whether the man had a criminal record.

Chief Rai confirmed that the suspect acted alone, saying, "one suspect, one vehicle."

Currently, the Vancouver Police Department’s Major Crime Section is leading the investigation. Officers have urged the public to come forward if they have any information about the incident.

Eyewitnesses Recall Terrifying Scenes

People who witnessed the crash shared chilling accounts of the chaos that followed.“It’s something you don’t expect to see in your lifetime,”  said Kris Pangilinan, a Toronto-based journalist, to CBC. “[The driver] just slammed the pedal down and rammed into hundreds of people. It was like seeing a bowling ball hit — all the bowling pins and all the pins flying up in the air."

He added, “It was like a war zone… There were bodies all over the ground.” CNN geolocated footage showing a street lined with food stalls scattered with debris. Emergency workers rushed to help victims while sirens blared in the background. Authorities asked people to clear the area for safety. A black SUV, its front end badly smashed, sat abandoned in the middle of the road. Police inspected the vehicle as part of their investigation. Photos from Reuters captured ambulances, paramedics, and police cordons surrounding the scene.

Organizers Express Grief

The Filipino BC organization, which hosted the festival, shared their sorrow on Instagram. They wrote, "We are still finding the words to express the deep heartbreak brought on by this senseless tragedy. We are devastated for the families and victims."

Political Leaders Respond

The incident occurred just before Canada’s federal election on Monday.

Jagmeet Singh, leader of the New Democratic Party, had attended the festival but left shortly before the crash. Speaking to CTV News, he said, “I was just there, and I just imagine the faces of the kids that I saw smiling and dancing. This is so horrific, I don’t even know what to say.”

Prime Minister Mark Carney also responded. In a statement on X, he wrote, “I offer my deepest condolences to the loved ones of those killed and injured, to the Filipino Canadian community, and to everyone in Vancouver. We are all mourning with you.”