‘No remorse in his eyes’: Bystander who restrained Vancouver suspect speaks out

Members of the Vancouver Police forensics team examine a victim's phone while investigating the scene where a vehicle drove into crowd at a street festival Saturday evening in Vancouver, Sunday, April 27, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Rich Lam

Antoine Vergara worked as a vendor at the Lapu Lapu Day festival, enjoying a celebration of Filipino heritage in Vancouver.

“We were happy and we were having fun as a community,” said Vergara, who moved to Canada from the Philippines when he was eight years old.

Vergara was wrapping up for the night when the horror began.

“He revved up even more after he hit someone,” said Vergara. “It was all so fast, but I just saw bodies flying and people screaming and lots of cries, and it was all very shocking.”

The 25-year-old said he sprinted towards the vehicle after initially checking on victims.

“He got out of the vehicle, he started running,” said Vergara. “I just went straight down and sprinted straight down to where the SUV was.”

He says he and a small group cornered the suspect until police arrived. Video has emerged on social media which places Vergara a few feet away from the suspect.

“I got face-to-face with him. It was tough because he looked like he didn’t have any remorse. He didn’t look like he had any soul behind his eyes,” he said. “He was completely cold and there was absolutely, absolutely no remorse in his eyes.”

Vergara admits he and others used some physical force on the suspect.

“He didn’t say much until someone hit him and then he started saying sorry.”

On Sunday, B.C. Premier David Eby expressed gratitude to the Good Samaritans who played a role in the arrest.

“I want to say my deep appreciation on behalf of the entire province for the people who stepped up in heroic ways last night,” said Eby.

Kai-Ji Adam Lo, 30, has so far been charged with eight counts of second-degree murder. CTV News has learned Lo was a graduate of UBC in 2019. Lo’s brother, Alexander Lo, was murdered in 2024.

Vergara says he’s reeling from the devastation from Saturday night, and is focusing his energy on supporting the Filipino community.

“I just hope that this, this tragedy brings a change and prioritizes public safety.”