Accused in Lapu-Lapu attack facing more murder charges, Vancouver police say

A man alleged to have driven a car through a busy Filipino street festival is now facing 11 second-degree murder charges, according to police.

The man accused of intentionally driving an SUV into the crowded Lapu-Lapu Day festival in Vancouver earlier this year is facing additional murder charges, police announced Tuesday.

The B.C. Prosecution Service has approved three more counts of second-degree murder against Kai-Ji Lo, bringing the total to 11 – one for every person killed during the April 26 celebration of the Filipino community.

Dozens of other victims were injured during the attack, which sent shockwaves across the country and prompted a provincial review of event safety.

The 30-year-old accused remains in custody.

In a news release, the Vancouver Police Department credited the additional charges to the work of homicide investigators, who continued gathering evidence after the first eight charges against Lo were approved in the days following the attack.

Police had forwarded a preliminary report to prosecutors for the consideration of additional charges before the end of May.

Following Lo’s arrest, he was given a psychiatric evaluation – the reasons for which are subject to a broad publication ban in the case.

Authorities previously said the accused had numerous prior interactions with law enforcement and mental health workers before the Lapu-Lapu Day tragedy.

Lo is next scheduled to attend a two-day hearing on his mental fitness to stand trial this week.

With files from CTV News Vancouver’s Ben Miljure