Vancouver officials are set to unveil the final report following a review of public safety measures for outdoor events, spurred by the tragic vehicle-ramming incident that claimed the lives of 11 individuals at a Filipino street festival in April.
Mayor Ken Sim and Chief Constable Steve Rai will announce the findings from the investigation into the Lapu-Lapu Day festival attack at a press briefing later today. The preliminary report, released earlier, indicated that the festival’s planning had adhered to standard protocols for an event categorized as low risk.
Despite assurances prior to the event that it would be similar to previous celebrations, the tragic incident unfolded when Kai-Ji Adam Lo allegedly drove an SUV into a crowd of festival-goers, resulting in 11 counts of second-degree murder against him. Legal proceedings surrounding Lo’s trial fitness have been ongoing, with a media ban currently in place on hearing details.
In response to the incident, former B.C. Supreme Court chief justice Christopher Hinkson conducted a safety review of public events, recommending that all events in the province undergo a risk assessment. The report also proposed enhanced inter-agency collaboration and the establishment of a central provincial events hub for information sharing.
The province’s commitment to implementing these recommendations was emphasized by B.C.’s minister of state for community safety, Terry Yung, who pledged swift action in response to the findings.