VIGILS have been held for the 11 people killed and the many injured in a car-ramming attack which targeted the Filipino population of Vancouver on Saturday.
An SUV was driven at speed into a crowd at the Lapu-Lapu Day event, a Filipino heritage festival held on the streets of the Canadian city and attended by an estimated 100,000 people.
Thousands came to a candlelit vigil for the victims — who include a five-year-old child — on Sunday night, and the Anglican church near by, St Mary’s, was open for prayer. The Prime Minister, Mark Carney, who was re-elected this week, was at the vigil and mourned with members of the community at St Mary’s.
There are about 142,000 Vancouverites of Filipino heritage, and the majority are Christian. At the last census, 92 per cent said that they were Christian. Of these, 70 per cent were Roman Catholic.
The Anglican Archbishop of New Westminster, the Most Revd John Stephens, said: “I am deeply shocked and horrified that this event could take place anywhere in the world, but particularly here in the bounds of our diocese. This senseless violence, disregard for human life and human dignity leaves one shaken and concerned.
“For the Filipino community in our diocese and throughout the Lower Mainland, please know of my prayers and the prayers of our diocese.”
Archbishop J. Michael Miller, apostolic administrator of the Roman Catholic archdiocese of Vancouver, said: “What should have been a joyful gathering to honour Filipino heritage has been overshadowed by sorrow and shock,” he said.
The General Secretary of the World Council of Churches, the Revd Professor Jerry Pillay, said: “We mourn the lives lost so horrifically and extend our condolences to those who lost loved ones, we pray for those still responding to help the injured, and for those who are stricken with fear. We come together to stand in solidarity with the Filipino community and people in Canada.”
A 30-year-old man was arrested at the scene and has been charged with eight counts of second-degree murder. Kai-Ji Adam Lo, who appeared in court on Sunday, has a history of mental-health issues after his brother’s murder last year, the police said.