The guy was allowed to enter the street as it was the end of the event and cars were coming in to pack up. He reportedly bumped one person with the side of his car at a relatively low speed and then suddenly hit the accelerator hard and went straight into the crowd. Video of him being held by people waiting for the police to arrive shows him looking like he’s also in shock and he apologizes for what he did. The guy’s brother was also murdered (not by a Filipino) and then his mom attempted suicide in recent years and he’s had a bunch of mental health issues and run ins with police, but seems to have no criminal record. I have no idea what was going on in his head. I don’t understand why he did what he did. It’s an awful thing to do. It just doesn’t seem like a terrorist attack.
Edit: He has now been charged with 8 counts of second degree murder, not first degree murder. Second degree murder is not premeditated, so not an act of terrorism. It suggests a decision made in the moment.
Sounds like a classic case of driver panic slamming the pedals and mistakes the accelerator with the brake. Just unfortunately, it wasnt into a building’s wall like most incidents.
looking like he’s also in shock and he apologizes for what he did.
You might be surprised to learn that almost every criminal tries to appear apologetic after they get caught. Usually as an attempt to prevent facing the consequences of their actions.
The article says that they don’t consider it an act of terrorism. Unless the guy was so drunk that he had no idea what was happening how was it not an act of terrorism?
EDIT: More reading and someone says he appeared to have mental health issues.
“The person we have in custody does have a significant history of interactions with police and health-care professionals related to mental health,” he told a briefing on Sunday.
Useful context.
So… Maybe he
shouldshouldn’t have been licensed to handle a deadly weapon. Edit: shouldntThere are tons of people on the road who shouldnt have licenses.
Maybe he should have been licensed to handle a deadly weapon
Do we know that he had a valid licence?
Is it possible to commit a terrorist act and not have mental health issues? Pretty sure this is still terrorism.
To be a tertorist act it needs to be intended to cause terror. If the guy was having a psychotic episode and didn’t know what he was doing it would not be terrorism.
intended to cause terror
… for political goals
A small Filipino cultural festival at a school was attacked. I am skeptical that this was a random act of violence. Nothing is impossible, but I think that it is much more likely that this was a targeted attack. Wait till they get the suspects computer, internet history, etc.
Sure. That’s a very specific short-lived mental health crisis. A narrow subset of people with mental health issues.
Having strong ideological beliefs on top of being desperate doesn’t mean you have mental illness by a massive margin. Most terrorists at most are depressed, not mentally ill. These are two radically different things. Just because someone is a danger to themselves and others doesn’t make them terrorists either.
No. If you think that some group of people is superior to another group of people, and its justifiable to use violence against everyone in the inferior group, you have a mental illness.
Thats why we have correctional facilities, so these people can be separated from society while they receive treatment for their illness.
That’s not mental illness, that’s having immoral beliefs. Being racist doesn’t get you put into correctional facilities even if you advocate for the use of force against groups you don’t like. If that was true, than Israel would be one of the world’s largest correctional facilities in the world.
Or maybe the US, considering how they elected Trump.
That is mental illness. Most Israelis should be sent to the Hague to receive treatment for their mental illness.
And at least 30% of the US Americans should be given free treatment for their illness as well.
By your definition, 70% of the world should be locked up in asylums. This isn’t an illness, it’s ideals and values incompatible with those that you personally hold. From their perspective, you who have no problems condemning an entire nation to the block is the one with mental illness by your own definition.
Yes. When that’s the only option left. Many movements around the world have employed what we now refer to as terrorism to affect change. Including ones that are currently not considered terrorist.
That’s abuse of the term. If you’re attacking a military, you’re not a terrorist. Even if your skin is brown.
If you’re attacking women and children intentionally, you’re a terrorist. Even if you’re wearing a State-issued military uniform.
Terrorism is by definition political. Mass school shootings are rarely political, for example. They are very very scary, but they are not terrorism. When the PLQ killed 8 people, that was terrorism.
Mass shooting in a school is definitely terrorism wtf
Fuck cars
If you live in Vancouver, now is a helpful time to donate blood since there will be a need.
Truly horrifying to hear.
Cars are weapons and must be treated accordingly, or this will keep happening.
Requirements for a license to operate cars and guns should be on par.
They pretty much are in Canada. You need to take tests to prove basic competency of training.
Anything can be used as a weapon if the person wishing to do harm is unstable enough or it’s pre-meditated and they’re crazy enough.
Here in BC, you only get retested for driving competency if you have a stroke/seizure/enter a coma.
I have personally seen doctors write multiple letters of competency for someone who couldn’t pass the vision test, written signs test, briefly forgot where he was, and needed a mobility aid. We still gave him a road test, which he failed, and got harassed by him and his doctor for months about giving him his license back.
Get your license suspended for reckless or impaired driving? As long as you have your full license (which is a 3 year process here) you just have to pay us $500-5000 + pay off your fines and you can drive again in 3-6 months, no retesting needed. Sure, if you get suspended 3+ times you have to go to AA, anger management, or a defensive driving course, but its only like 3 sessions.
Our basic competency is honestly a joke, and we basically never retest people… And honestly, as long as you aren’t literally blind, we also don’t permanently take away you license as long as you have money.
I thought DUIs were like manslaughter charges serious up in Canada. I’ve worked with some guys who had gotten them and they said they couldn’t go to Canada anymore.
My GG had dementia and incredibly poor eyesight and was still legally allowed to drive up until she was hospitalized. She was over 80 at that time.
The system needs a massive overhaul, and it should start with mandatory retesting when you have to renew your license.
The issue is not whether the knowledge exists to operate a vehicle or gun safely. But the background check to determine if they might not.
That’s a fair point.
How frequently do you need to get retested?
Annually, by a doctor. Once you turn 80.
Other than that, never once after you pass the initial test at 16.
Seems like a very reasonable standard, yeah.
As an american… I feel bad that I don’t feel much because I’ve been desensitized to terrorism.
🕊️🙏☮️
Edit:
The horrific ideologies presenting themselves today are a marketed global plan. America is getting cooked, and its in the game plan for it to spread. As people of nations we need to understand we are products that get used for their purposes. The human bond needs to always stand above nations and nationalism, religion, business, and the political game.
The human bond needs to always stand above nations and nationalism, religion, business, and the political game.
Rent is due in 3 days.
There is no indication at this point that this is a terrorist attack
This is kind of out there… But…
I think in the modern world, evil people target regular people to commit acts of horror. And I think this is done through manipulation both in physical and digitally. Kind of like “gangstalking.” In this way a group can make changes to society without becoming a target themselves. Like decentralized war. I think we live in a time when most people are too naive to know or admit this is actually happening because it means in reality there really isn’t any safety or security. In essence there’s a war going on and people don’t even know they are being used for it.
…I kind of think Americas current admin is controlled by this.
I live here and I just find it hard to believe someone would do this on purpose. This doesn’t happen here
Just because you cannot believe it does not mean it is not factually true.
People do these things on purpose daily all over the globe. Your little piece of heaven is just as likely to be attacked as any other.
The only way it could not be a terrorist attack is if it was an accident, right?
Was there a political purpose? Sounds more like a mental health problem.
All terrorists, by definition, have mental health problems
Why would you put “by definition” in there, that changes it from a “this is my opinion” to “It are a fact, i know because of my learnings”.
It’s possible there is a definition somewhere that specifically references mental health i suppose , i’d be interested to see it if you have a link ?
If you think that some group of people is superior to another group of people, and its justifiable to use violence against everyone in the inferior group, you have a mental illness.
Because that is what is a mental illness.
Again, not what the definition of “mental illness” generally means.
Look up an actual definition or this
Can “terrorists” have mental illnesses?, sure.
Are all “terrorists” by definition mentally ill, doubtful.
Without even getting into the subjectiveness of the term “terrorist”, lets take your example.
There are plenty of situations where you can end up with that point of view and not have a legitimate “mental illness”, because that term means something relatively specific and isn’t a good enough fit with which to broadly paint all members of a group.
Another example of why it doesn’t fit is that there are plenty of people who are evil/bad/morally bankrupt (for whatever frame of reference you are using to determine such things) that shouldn’t get to use mental illness as an excuse for doing shitty things.
Compiling some links in a thread in !vancouver@lemmy.ca. I’ve copied the current version below, but please see the linked thread for the most up to date version: https://lemmy.ca/post/42967562
Information
WARNING: There are graphic videos of the event and aftermath. Keep that in mind when going through any social media posts. The news articles are generally ‘safe’ to read.
Social media threads:
-
r/Vancouver: https://www.reddit.com/r/vancouver/comments/1k8v49i/
News Articles:
- https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/vehicle-hits-crowd-filipino-festival-lapu-lapu-day-block-party-1.7519778
- https://vancouver.citynews.ca/2025/04/26/major-police-incident-vancouver-lapu-lapu-festival/
- https://theprovince.com/news/police-incident-at-lapu-lapu-day-in-vancouver/wcm/8078cf55-f577-49a1-a041-6bdd6d7c2bef
- https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/british-columbia/article-vancouver-festival-driver-incident-deaths-injuries-updates-lapu-lapu/
- https://vancouversun.com/news/police-incident-at-lapu-lapu-day-in-vancouver
Let me know if any information belongs in this thread and I’ll edit it in.
Support Resources:
Local Resources
Vancouver Police Victim Services: As per their website - Victim Services staff members are not police officers; they are civilian employees of the VPD with specialized training in emotional support, crisis intervention, and communication skills, and with education in areas such as psychology, social work or other related disciplines.
Staff are available to provide free and confidential support to victims, witnesses, and family members affected by crime and trauma.
If you have been affected by crime or trauma, contact the VPD Victim Services Unit at 604-717-2737.
Vancouver Coastal Regional Distress Line: 604-872-3311
BC Mental Health & Crisis Response (no area code needed): 310-6789
Suicide Crisis Helplines: Text or call 9-8-8 from anywhere in Canada or call 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433) in BC, both available 24/7.
Learn about what resources are available in your community, including mental health supports. Available 24/7 and Canada wide: Call 211 or visit 211.ca
Crisis Centre: https://www.crisiscentre.bc.ca/
Other Resources
A few people have recommended doing a visuospatial activity, such as playing tetris, to help reduce trauma related intrusive memories from the incident
https://www.ox.ac.uk/news/2017-03-28-tetris-used-prevent-post-traumatic-stress-symptoms
A single dose psychological intervention, which includes using the computer game Tetris, can prevent the unpleasant, intrusive memories that develop in some people after suffering a traumatic event.
Some tetris links:
What can you do
I haven’t seen an official call for donations yet, but I’ve compiled some comments / links.
Blood donation eligibility information: https://www.blood.ca/en/blood/am-i-eligible-donate-blood
What types might be in need:
Filipinos blood type distribution is 86% O-positive, and 8% A-positive, so if you are type O and A consider donating. Oak street location is open pretty much every day
3D Tetris is probably also helpful
This stuff doesn’t happen here in BC. I’m holding onto hope it was somehow an accident because this is beyond fucked.
Oh it absolutely does. Lynn Valley Library?
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we got any motive yet?
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You can bring that energy to !fuck_cars
