Teen who lost family in Vancouver festival attack thanks donors, says he’s giving $266K to other victims

We're hearing from a Vancouver teenager for the first time since his family was killed in the Lapu-Lapu Day attack.

A Vancouver teenager who lost his father, stepmom and five-year-old sister to the tragic Lapu-Lapu Day festival attack is thanking the public for the hundreds of thousands of dollars that have been raised for his support.

In a video published to Facebook and his GoFundMe page Wednesday evening, 16-year-old Andy Le said he would like to thank everyone who has donated to his campaign. The fundraiser, initiated Monday, had amassed more than $542,600 as of Thursday morning.

“From the bottom of my heart, thank you all so much. I truly appreciate each and every one of you,” he said.

Richard Le, his wife Linh Hoang, and their five-year-old daughter Katie were among the 11 confirmed dead after the driver of an SUV barrelled into a crowd Saturday at a street festival celebrating the Filipino community.

In the video, Le said he plans to split his funds with the others who have lost their loved ones in the tragic attack.

“I know that many other families are hurting too,” he said.

“Which is why I would like to donate $266,000 to the other victims from my GoFundMe campaign.”

Le said he will continue living with his grandparents, who have helped raise him.

“Thank you all so much for your support,” he said.

Richard Le’s younger brother Toan Le told CTV News Monday that the teenager, Le’s son from his first marriage, had missed the festival that fateful evening because he had decided to stay home to complete his homework.

“The last thing that Andy received was a text from his dad at like 8:06p.m. saying don’t come any more, because it’s over and we’re going to head home,” Le said on Monday.

The Le family learned of their loss the next day.

Richard Le, who worked in real estate, was a tennis and badminton coach who funnelled his time into mentoring his son on the court. Le described Hoang as a dedicated mother, while five-year-old Katie was a “very lively, cheerful person” who was the light of the entire family, he said.