Adam Kai-Ji Lo Faces 42 Charges in Vancouver Lapu Lapu Day Festival Attack

Members of the Vancouver Police forensics team examine a victim's phone while investigating the scene where a vehicle drove into crowd at a street festival Saturday evening in Vancouver, Sunday, April 27, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Rich Lam

The suspect in the Vancouver Lapu Lapu Day festival attack has been declared mentally fit to stand trial. Adam Kai-Ji Lo now faces 42 charges, including 11 counts of second-degree murder and 31 counts of attempted murder, after the April 26 SUV assault that left 11 people dead and dozens injured.

Vancouver Lapu Lapu Day Festival Attack: What Happened on April 26

The attack took place during evening celebrations along Fraser Street, where hundreds had gathered for the annual festival. An SUV plowed into the crowd, killing 11 people and injuring dozens more.

Witnesses described scenes of panic as emergency crews and bystanders rushed to help victims. Flowers and memorials were placed along Fraser Street in the days that followed, marking what Mayor Ken Sim later called “the darkest day in the history of Vancouver.”

Adam Kai-Ji Lo Ruled Fit to Stand Trial

At a provincial court hearing in Vancouver, Judge Reginald P. Harris ruled that Adam Kai-Ji Lo is mentally fit to stand trial.

The decision followed a fitness hearing in July where two forensic psychiatrists were called as expert witnesses before legal arguments were presented by Crown prosecutor Michaela Donnelly and defence lawyer Mark Swartz.

In his ruling, Harris said Lo understands the nature and consequences of the proceedings, can communicate with his lawyer, and is able to conduct his defence. The judge also ordered Lo be detained in hospital while awaiting trial.

Because of a publication ban, the specific evidence and testimony that led to the ruling cannot be reported, though the outcome itself is public. A media consortium, including The Canadian Press, is challenging the scope of the ban, with a ruling expected later this week.

New Charges Laid: Murder and Attempted Murder Counts

Prosecutors confirmed that Adam Kai-Ji Lo now faces a total of 42 criminal charges. In addition to the 11 counts of second-degree murder filed shortly after the incident, the B.C. Prosecution Service has added 31 charges of attempted murder, each tied to surviving victims of the April 26 attack.

Vancouver Police Chief Const. Steve Rai called the decision “another step toward answers and accountability in one of the most horrific incidents our city has ever faced.”

He praised investigators for their work on what he described as a mass-casualty case that has tested the department’s resources and resolve.

Police said the expanded list of charges reflects the scope of the tragedy and ensures every victim is represented in court proceedings.

Community Reaction to the Vancouver Lapu Lapu Day Tragedy

Outside provincial court, Kristina Corpin-Moser of Filipino B.C. said the ruling brings mixed emotions for the community.

While there is relief that the case will proceed to trial, she noted it also signals the beginning of a long and difficult process for survivors and families of victims.

Mayor Ken Sim called April 26 “the darkest day in the history of Vancouver” and said he is encouraged to see the case moving forward. “It is good to know that the victims, their families and the surrounding community will have the chance to receive justice,” he said in a statement.

Community members have continued to hold memorials along Fraser Street, with flowers and messages left at the scene. Advocacy groups say many residents remain focused on healing and supporting one another as the trial approaches.

Public Safety Review After Vancouver Festival Attack

In the aftermath of the tragedy, the City of Vancouver launched a review of safety measures for large public gatherings.

The final report, released in early September, concluded that planning for the Lapu Lapu Day festival had followed required protocols, including a risk assessment that deemed the likelihood of a major incident low.

Despite this finding, the review outlined new recommendations aimed at preventing similar attacks. Among the proposals were stronger vehicle barriers at festival sites, revised traffic control plans, and closer coordination between event organizers and law enforcement.

Mayor Ken Sim said the recommendations are an important step toward restoring public confidence. “We must ensure that when residents gather to celebrate, they feel safe,” he said. City officials are now considering whether permanent vehicle barriers should be installed in high-traffic festival areas.

What Comes Next in the Vancouver Lapu Lapu Day Festival Case

With 42 charges now before the court, the trial of Adam Kai-Ji Lo is expected to be lengthy and closely watched.

A publication ban continues to restrict details of the psychiatric evidence presented during the fitness hearing, though media organizations are challenging the scope of the order.

For families and survivors, the legal process represents both a path to accountability and a reminder of the April 26 tragedy. City officials say the case, along with the safety review, will shape how Vancouver manages public festivals in the years ahead.