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Suspect who drove into crowd at Lapu Lapu Festival identified as 30-year-old Vancouver man
The Vancouver Police Department is actively investigating a mass casualty incident that occurred during a neighborhood street festival in South Vancouver on Saturday night, resulting in multiple deaths and injuries.
At approximately 8:14 p.m. on April 26, 2025, a man driving a black Audi SUV drove into a large crowd attending the Lapu Lapu Day Festival near East 43rd Avenue and Fraser Street.
The vehicle struck numerous attendees before coming to a stop.
A 30-year-old Vancouver man was arrested at the scene without further incident.
He remains in custody as the investigation continues.
Preliminary reports indicate that at least eight individuals, including a child, have died as a result of the crash.
At least six others sustained serious injuries and were transported to area hospitals for treatment.
Suspect who drove into crowd at Lapu Lapu Festival identified as 30-year-old Vancouver man. A man driving a black Audi SUV drove into a large crowd attending the Lapu Lapu Day Festival near East 43rd Avenue and Fraser Street. #Canada Driver arrested.https://t.co/CZKAfOYeC2 pic.twitter.com/FreItY5q4V— News Channel3 Now (@newschannel3now) April 27, 2025
Vancouver Police have stated that an official update on casualty numbers will be provided during a media briefing scheduled for midnight local time.
Eyewitnesses described the horrifying scene, recounting how the SUV barreled through vendor stalls and crowds of festival-goers.
One witness told they heard screams and cries as people desperately tried to flee from the speeding vehicle.
Another festival attendee described the scene as “terrifying” and “chaotic.”
In a statement released Saturday evening, Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim expressed profound sorrow over the tragedy:
“We are shocked and deeply saddened by the horrific incident that occurred tonight at the Lapu Lapu Day event. Vancouver Police have confirmed multiple fatalities and injuries. Our thoughts and heartfelt sympathies are with all those affected and with Vancouver’s Filipino community during this incredibly difficult time.”
Authorities have not yet released the identity of the suspect.
However, sources have indicated that the individual has a history of mental health challenges and may have had prior interactions with law enforcement as recently as the day before the incident.
The Vancouver Police Department’s Major Crime Section is leading the investigation, and officials are working to determine the motive behind the attack.
Deana Lancaster, a spokesperson for Vancouver General Hospital — the region’s leading trauma center — confirmed that multiple victims from the Lapu Lapu Day Festival were being treated at the facility.
The Vancouver Police Department is urging anyone who witnessed the incident or has video footage to come forward and assist in the ongoing investigation.
Further updates will be provided as additional information becomes available.
GUAYAQUIL, ECUADOR — A powerful car bomb detonated near Mall del Sol in Guayaquil resulting in multiple fatalities and numerous injuries, according to local authorities.
The blast, which sent shockwaves across the bustling commercial district, is being investigated as a possible terror or organized crime-related attack amid Ecuador’s ongoing struggle with rising gang violence.
The explosion occurred near one of the main entrances of Mall del Sol, one of Guayaquil’s largest and busiest shopping centers, located in the north of the city.
Witnesses described a scene of chaos and destruction as a vehicle parked along the roadside suddenly erupted into flames, sending a massive fireball and thick black smoke into the air.
Surveillance footage and videos shared on social media captured the moment of the detonation, showing debris flying across the street as nearby cars were engulfed by the blast.
Several storefronts and vehicles in the vicinity were heavily damaged, and windows shattered across multiple nearby buildings.
Initial reports from emergency responders indicate that several people were killed, and multiple others sustained serious injuries.
The exact number of casualties has not yet been officially confirmed as rescue operations continue.
Firefighters, police, and medical teams quickly arrived at the scene, cordoning off the area and extinguishing the burning vehicles. Paramedics transported the injured to nearby hospitals, while authorities evacuated the surrounding area to ensure public safety.
Officials from Ecuador’s National Police and Armed Forces have launched an immediate investigation into the attack. Early indications suggest that explosives were deliberately placed inside a parked vehicle, though authorities have not yet disclosed details about the type of device used or any possible suspects.
The Attorney General’s Office and anti-terrorism units are leading the forensic examination of the blast site. Authorities have increased security across Guayaquil and other major Ecuadorian cities, fearing possible coordinated attacks.
Ecuador’s Minister of the Interior condemned the attack, calling it a “cowardly act of violence intended to spread fear among citizens.” The government pledged to bring those responsible to justice and reaffirmed its commitment to restoring security amid escalating gang-related violence in the region.
Residents are urged to avoid the Mall del Sol area as the investigation remains active.
Further updates are expected as officials release more information on the number of victims and the circumstances leading up to the explosion.