B.C. Premier David Eby is ready to hold a public inquiry into the vehicle attack in Vancouver which killed 11 people should the criminal trial fail to answer questions about what happened.
“The number one priority is ensuring justice for the Filipino community, ensuring that this man is held and tried,” said Eby.
He said that his government is “committed to getting all of the answers for British Columbians about how this could possibly have happened, who this individual was, what happened in the time leading up to his horrific attack, and how we can move forward.”
Eby made the announcement of a potential inquiry Tuesday, saying that while he was prepared to call for one immediately, he didn’t want to affect the trial of suspect Adam Lo, who was driving the vehicle.
“If the criminal investigation and trial is unable to provide British Columbians with the answers that we need, then the provincial government will call a public inquiry and ensure that we get all of the answers that we’re looking for.”
Lo, 30, is facing eight charges of second-degree murder.
“The number one priority is ensuring justice for the Filipino community, ensuring that this man is held and tried, and convicted for these murders,” said Eby.
He added that he would also appoint an independent commission to protect future public events and festivals which will have thousands of people in attendance.
The Vancouver Police Department confirmed 11 fatalities and numerous injuries after Lo, who was already well-known to police, drove his car into a crowd at a Filipino-themed street festival on Friday evening.
“I can tell you that the person we have in custody does have a significant history of interactions with police and healthcare professionals related to mental health,” said Interim Police Chief Steve Rai.
VPD said it’s “confident that this incident was not an act of terrorism.”
The tragic incident occurred shortly after 8 p.m. at the Lapu Lapu Day festival in South Vancouver, an event celebrating Filipino heritage and culture.
Lo was placed in a local psychiatric ward against his will in 2023 and apprehended by police again last year after a mental-health group requested he return for another stretch of detention in the hospital.
“There are lots of people who struggle with mental health issues in our province. This man made the decision to run down children and seniors at a celebration in the community,” said Eby. “I believe the ultimate decision of the courts, but that’s my opinion, and I am committed to ensuring that British Columbians get the answers that they need, … and that we have a mental health system in the province that keeps people safe.”
According to a statement from the Ministry of Health, 16 patients remain in the hospital, some in critical condition while 13 other patients have been discharged with non-life-threatening injuries.
Lo had been under the supervision of Vancouver Coastal Health and was on “extended leave in accordance with the Mental Health Act,” a VCH spokesperson confirmed.
“Extended leave is intended to help clients maintain their treatment plans while transitioning back to the community for ongoing support,” they continued.
Lo was being supervised under the Mental Health Act.
“To the care team’s knowledge, there was no recent change in his condition or noncompliance with his treatment plan that would’ve warranted him needing to be hospitalized involuntarily,” said the Ministry.