Assembly Member Steven Raga expressed sorrow and solidarity this week following the tragic vehicle attack at the Lapu Lapu Day Festival in Vancouver that killed 11 people and injured more than two dozen others.
“We are heartbroken by the devastating attack at the Lapu Lapu Day Festival in Vancouver, where at least 11 lives were tragically lost and dozens more were injured,” Raga said in a statement. “We mourn with the Filipino community in Vancouver and pray for all the victims, their families, and everyone affected by this senseless act.”
The April 26 attack, which police say was carried out by 30-year-old Kai-Ji Adam Lo, took place around 8:15 p.m. local time during the annual Filipino cultural event commemorating Lapu-Lapu, a precolonial Filipino hero who famously resisted Spanish colonization in the 16th century. The festival is a major fixture for Vancouver’s Filipino community, one of the largest in Canada.
Authorities said Lo drove a black Audi Q7 SUV into a crowd, striking dozens of attendees in what has been described as one of the deadliest public festival attacks in Canadian history. The victims ranged in age from a five-year-old girl to a 65-year-old man. More than two dozen others were injured.
Lo was apprehended at the scene and charged with eight counts of second-degree murder. Additional charges are expected. While officials have ruled out terrorism as a motive, they confirmed that Lo has a documented history of mental illness.
Raga, who represents Assembly District 30 in central Queens, which includes parts of Woodside, Elmhurst, Maspeth, Jackson Heights, and Middle Village, is the first Filipino American ever elected to the New York State Legislature. His district is home to one of the largest Filipino communities in New York City, centered around “Little Manila” in Woodside.
“In our Assembly District, where cultural celebrations are a vibrant part of our community life, it is heartbreaking to think that any gathering meant to honor heritage, pride, and shared identity could be targeted by violence,” Raga said. “We stand with all communities who gather to celebrate their culture—and we recommit ourselves to ensuring these spaces remain safe, joyful, and protected for all.”
Vigils have since taken place throughout Vancouver, with residents lighting candles and placing flowers at makeshift memorials.
In Queens and beyond, Filipino American communities have responded to the tragedy with an outpouring of support. Residents and organizations in Little Manila have circulated numerous GoFundMe campaigns online to assist the victims and their families, raising awareness and funds across social media platforms. Many have expressed grief, solidarity, and calls for healing, reflecting the close-knit ties among the global Filipino diaspora.
Several advocacy organizations have called for a thorough and transparent investigation, while urging Canadian policymakers to reevaluate mental health systems to prevent future tragedies.
