Judge orders mental health assessment for man accused of killing 11 at
Vancouver festival
[May 03, 2025]
By JIM MORRIS
VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — A Canadian judge on Friday ordered a
man accused of ramming his sport utility vehicle through a Filipino
heritage festival crowd, killing 11 people and injuring dozens, to
receive a mental health assessment to determine if he's fit to stand
trial.
A publicity ban prevents the publication of why Judge Reginal Harris
made the decision.
Kai-Ji Adam Lo, 30, appeared in provincial court via video link. He wore
an orange short-sleeved jumpsuit and sat on a blue couch. He is expected
to return to court on May 30.
Lo faces eight counts of second-degree murder after allegedly driving an
SUV through a crowd of people at the Filipino community’s Lapu Lapu Day
Street festival on Saturday in Vancouver, British Columbia.
Attending Friday's hearing was Marco Harder, vice consul for the
Consulate General of the Philippines.
Lo had previously been scheduled to appear in court on May 26, after
making his first appearance by video on Sunday, the day after the
attack.
Damienne Darby with the British Columbia Prosecution Service said that
Lo’s lawyer had requested the next appearance be moved ahead.
Lo’s court appearance came just hours before a memorial mass to pray for
victims of the tragedy.
The B.C. provincial government had declared Friday a day of mourning for
the victims. Flag across the city flew at half mast.
During a Mass at the Holy Rosary Cathedral Archbishop J. Michael Miller
offered words of comfort to everyone affected “by this grim day in
Vancouver’s history.”
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A Philippines flag waves in the wind at a memorial site for the
victims of an incident where a car drove through a crowd killing
multiple people in Vancouver, British Columbia, Monday, April 28,
2025. (Rich Lam/The Canadian Press via AP)
Miller told members of the Filipino community they are not alone in
their grief.
“We are with you in your sorrow, a sorrow that has shaken all of us
to the very core of our being,” he said.
When the service ended B.C. Premier David Eby addressed the
gathering, saying the entire province is in mourning.
“We’re mourning an injury to the Filipino community,” said Eby. “We
mourn a loss of innocence. That this could happen here, our province
and Vancouver. It happened to people we know.
“We mourn a loss of potential, those who were taken from us.”
Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim said the tragedy “shattered something in all
of us.”
“I’m still trying to process the heartbreak, the shock, the anger
and the deep, deep sadness of the families that lost loved ones,” he
said.
Vancouver police Interim Chief Const. Steve Rai said the city stands
united with the Filipino community.
“With all who are mourning and struggling with the terrible tragedy
as we now try to being the long process of healing,” he said.
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