Suspect in Cirque du Soleil crash was having ‘religious delusions,’ Vancouver police say

There is heightened concern about safety after a man rammed a car into the Pacific Coliseum Thursday night during a Cirque de Soleil performance.

The suspect who allegedly crashed a car into an East Vancouver venue during a Cirque du Soleil performance Thursday evening was apparently experiencing “religious delusions,” according to police.

The vehicle slammed into the entrance of Pacific Coliseum around 8 p.m., approximately one hour after the crowded show began.

The Vancouver Police Department said the suspected driver, a 30-year-old local man, was arrested at the scene and has since been certified under B.C.’s Mental Health Act, which allows for involuntary treatment.

“We trust that he’s getting the care that he needs,” Sgt. Steve Addison told reporters Friday at a news conference.

The suspect’s name has not been publicized as he has not been criminally charged.

Suspect was ‘talking about Satan’

Addison said the individual does not have a criminal record or any history of police interactions related to his mental health, but it was “apparent” he was in crisis when officers arrived at the scene Thursday.

“He was speaking and acting erratically,” Addison said. “Talking about Satan, talking about God, saying other things that made it very obvious he was experiencing a mental health crisis.”

Authorities have not confirmed how fast the car was travelling when it crashed into Pacific Coliseum, but said it was moving at a significant speed.

No one was injured – but Addison said the outcome could have been much worse if the vehicle had not struck a concrete column that prevented it from fully entering the venue.

Witness Mike Roberts told CTV News he was at the Cirque du Soleil performance when he heard a loud bang, which he initially assumed was part of the act.

He said he got up to investigate after seeing “a small piece of the vehicle” had landed near his seat.

“Went behind the curtains and from there saw the car that was sitting inside, or partially inside the Coliseum doors,” he said.

Incident reignites safety concerns

Thursday’s incident came 41 days after the Lapu-Lapu Day vehicle attack that left 11 people dead and dozens of others injured – and while the circumstances are different, Addison said “some of the similarities” have understandably reignited safety concerns in the city.

Those are even more pressing ahead of a weekend marked by a number of large-scale events in Vancouver, including the B.C. Lions home opener and Italian Day on the Drive.

Police confirmed there will be mobile road barriers set up at both events, and that 300 extra officers will be deployed between Friday and Sunday to ensure public safety.

“We will have a high-visibility presence throughout the city in a variety of events,” Addison said. “We’re doing this to provide comfort and assurance to people, to deter crime, and to respond if something happens.”

Heading into summer, with more massive events such as Pride and the Celebration of Light, the Vancouver Police Department will continue working with the organizers and city staff to “do everything that we can” to keep the public safe, Addison said.

“We can’t cage this city up, we can’t bubble-wrap people,” he said. “It’s not reasonable or practical to put a police officer on every corner, and people don’t want to see that. We can only worry about the things that we can control as a police agency.”