CAUTION: This narrative contains some distressing elements. Reader discretion is recommended.
For the first time since the tragic event of April 26, at the
Lapu Lapu festival
In Vancouver, a man who played a crucial part in capturing the suspect stopped by the expanding tribute site.
“Unreal,” festival attendee Dudley Green commented.
There’s a touch of sorrow and void, as everything has been tidied up now, yet the remnants of it all remain quite striking in one’s thoughts.
Green made a spontaneous decision to join the festival, an event organized to honor Filipino culture and heritage.
As the evening drew to a close and people began to disperse, Green mentioned that he was strolling past two food trucks when he spotted a “dark streak” whizzing by.
He mentioned, ‘I saw three figures soar through the sky over the food truck and come down,’ adding that afterward, someone shouted, ‘Dial 911, dial 911.’ I kept walking in that direction, as I hoped to witness whether the vehicle would halt.
When I reached the spot near the parking sign at the top, I saw the car positioned in front of two food trucks. The driver’s side door was wide open, and the airbags had inflated inside. Then, looking across the road, I noticed a large crowd gathering over here… heading toward this section of the fence.
Green stated that MLA Mable Elmore was positioned to his right, with a security guard on his left.
Paul Palines was present as well.
.
He mentioned that they attempted to hold the crowd at bay, instructing them to await the arrival of the police.
“The circumstances were highly unstable, with many individuals feeling intense anger and naturally desiring immediate justice,” Green further explained.
What I initially believed was that we should wait for the police to handle it since at least he hadn’t fled. We kept him contained and restrained right where he was. However, calming down the crowd proved challenging as everyone’s feelings were intense, making individuals quite unpredictable.
Green mentioned that there were a minimum of three individuals intent on causing harm to the suspect.
“One of them asked me very courteously and calmly, saying, ‘Could you kindly step aside, please?’” Green mentioned.
“And I told him, looking into his eyes, I could see the intention. Then I asked him, ‘brother, if I make a move and you follow through with your plans, who will take care of your family?’”
He suddenly started crying and exclaimed, ‘That guy needs to be eliminated, you understand?’ I responded, saying I wasn’t opposed to that idea, but we should wait for the police instead. Then he simply spun around and left.
Green mentioned that the moment is deeply ingrained in his mind because he is also a father, and he can only begin to fathom the immense anger and frustration others must have been experiencing.
He mentioned that the man informed him about the car striking his child, though he isn’t aware of the severity of the injuries.
Kai-Ji Adam Lo, aged 30, was apprehended at the location on Saturday and has subsequently faced charges for eight counts of second-degree murder.
On Wednesday morning, during his address, Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim stated that the individual involved was receiving treatment from a mental health services group; however, they were not actively engaged with this support as they were on an extended break at the time.
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The Vancouver Police stated that additional charges against Lo are anticipated; however, they have not provided any timeframe for the ongoing investigation.
Lo continues to be held in custody and made a brief appearance in court on Friday afternoon.
Seven women, two men, one non-binary individual, and one child were among the eleven fatalities in this tragic event. The ages of those who lost their lives span from five to 65 years old.
Over 10 individuals are still admitted to the hospital.
Video: Counselor Discusses Strategies to Aid Those Affected by the Lapu Lapu Festival Attack
Green mentioned that he was confident he made the correct decision in maintaining distance between the crowd and Lo until law enforcement showed up.
“If the mob had seized that man and lynched him, everyone who participated in that act would have been documented, similar to how I was captured on camera, unaware that people were filming,” he stated.
So the police would have been forced to press charges against everything. These individuals have lost family members and experienced deaths, and while they might have felt immediate satisfaction from taking someone’s life, it wouldn’t have altered the situation that was already set in motion.
Green mentioned that Lo appeared to be in a trance and repeatedly stated, “I am sorry,” as he stood by the fence waiting for the police to arrive.
“I believe my size makes me quite noticeable, so just having me around had an impact, and I feel that speaking with individuals in a calm and rational manner really contributed to defusing the situation,” he said additionally.
Green stated that the law serves an important purpose, and those who lost family members in the tragedy require a means to seek answers and understand what led to this devastating circumstance.
“It seems as though the entire city is brimming with sorrow,” he stated.
Many individuals, when reflecting on this tragedy, become highly emotionally involved and deeply wounded, making it extremely difficult for them to process. Everyone can envision that this could have happened to their own child—could have been their daughter, could be their son—and therefore, I believe it’s incredibly challenging for numerous people.
All neighborhoods within this city are impacted.
— with contributions from Sophie Lui
