A devastating vehicle attack at a Filipino festival in Vancouver on Saturday left 11 people dead and dozens more injured. Among the victims was Kira Salim, a teacher and counsellor at Fraser River Middle School and New Westminster Secondary School, who had a profound impact on her students.
Salim’s school district released a statement saying she was a “valued member of our community” whose work changed lives. Her colleagues described her as wise, caring, and kind. The incident has left the Filipino community in Vancouver reeling.
The attack occurred at the Lapu-Lapu Day festival when a man drove an SUV through the crowd on East 43rd Avenue near Fraser Street. Bystanders intervened until authorities arrived, and the suspect is now facing murder charges. Eleven people died, ranging from age five to 65, with more than two dozen injured.
Police have charged Kai-Ji Adam Lo, 30, with eight counts of second-degree murder, although additional charges are expected. The motive for the attack is still unclear, but it does not appear to be an act of terror.
The victims include a family of four: Richard Le, his wife Linh Hoang, and their five-year-old daughter Katie. The community is mourning the loss of Salim, who was described as “epic” by her friends and colleagues. A GoFundMe page has been set up to cover funeral expenses and support her 16-year-old son.
The incident sent shockwaves around the world and highlighted the growing concerns about public safety in Vancouver’s diverse communities.
Source: https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/five-year-old-girl-her-parents-and-vancouver-teacher-among-11-killed-in-filipino-street/article_01da178e-d269-4781-a75d-252d85948c1e.html