Kira Salim Obituary, Death: Teacher named among victims of Vancouver street festival vehicle attack.

Kira Salim Obituary, Death – A beloved teacher and school counselor was among the 11 victims tragically killed when a driver crashed an SUV into a crowd at a Filipino heritage festival in Vancouver last weekend. Authorities confirmed Monday that Kira Salim, who worked at two schools in the New Westminster School District near Vancouver, was among those who lost their lives.

In a statement, the district praised Salim, calling her a cherished part of the community whose dedication to middle and secondary school students had a lasting and meaningful impact. “Her spirit and the work she did changed lives,” wrote the district’s superintendent and board chair.

The deadly incident occurred around 8 p.m. on Saturday during the Lapu Lapu Day festival, which celebrates a Filipino leader who resisted Spanish colonizers in the 16th century. According to reports, a black Audi SUV sped down a closed-off street lined with food trucks and plowed into festival attendees.

The attack left 32 people injured, and by late Sunday, 17 victims remained hospitalized, some with critical or serious injuries, according to the British Columbia Health Ministry.

Authorities charged 30-year-old Kai-Ji Adam Lo with multiple counts of second-degree murder. During a brief video court appearance, Lo faced eight counts initially, and officials indicated more charges might follow. Investigators have ruled out terrorism as a motive and noted that Lo has a significant history of mental health issues. It remains unclear if Lo has secured legal representation.

The ages of the victims ranged from as young as five to 65 years old.

On Sunday, mourners gathered across Vancouver, including Prime Minister Mark Carney, who visited a vigil site. Many attendees, like Nathaly Nairn and her teenage daughter, were visibly emotional, carrying flowers and recalling the chaos they had witnessed during the festival.

Vancouver Mayor Kenneth Sim spoke at a vigil, describing the collective heartbreak, fear, and anger felt by the community. Acting Police Chief Steve Rai described the attack as “the darkest day in Vancouver’s history,” emphasizing that the suspect had previous interactions with police and healthcare professionals regarding his mental health.

Videos from the aftermath captured the devastation: bodies lay scattered along the street, and the SUV sat heavily damaged. Witnesses described scenes of terror and heroism. Kris Pangilinan, who operated a pop-up shop at the festival, recalled the horror as the vehicle slowly moved past a barricade before accelerating into the dense crowd. “It looked like a bowling ball knocking down pins,” he said, still shaken by the sound of bodies colliding with the vehicle.

Police officers continued gathering evidence on Monday, executing search warrants and reviewing bystander footage. Authorities are now reviewing safety protocols for future community events to prevent similar tragedies.

Witnesses also helped detain the suspect before officers arrived. Social media videos showed a man in a black hoodie, surrounded by an angry crowd, apologizing as he leaned against a fence. Interim Chief Rai declined to comment on the footage but praised the public for their bravery.

Prime Minister Carney, canceling campaign events for a national election, expressed grief for the families mourning lost loved ones, calling it “every family’s nightmare.” He later posted an image of himself lighting a candle at a memorial near the crash site.

This attack drew comparisons to a 2018 tragedy in Toronto, where a man driving a van killed 10 pedestrians.

More first-hand accounts surfaced as the community tried to process the grief. Carayn Nulada described shielding her grandchildren from the oncoming vehicle, while her daughter narrowly escaped serious injury after being grazed by the SUV. Nulada later learned her brother, who sustained multiple fractures, survived but would require surgery.

Business owner James Cruzat, who attended the festival, said he initially mistook the loud noise for gunfire. “Then I saw the people crying, running, asking for help,” he said.

Seventeen-year-old Vincent Reynon said he saw bodies strewn across the street as police rushed to the scene. “It felt like a horror movie,” he recalled.

Adonis Quita, another festivalgoer, quickly pulled his 9-year-old son to safety. His family had recently relocated from the Philippines, and he now fears the traumatic event could impact his son’s adjustment to life in Canada.

The Filipino community, which represents nearly 6% of Vancouver’s population according to the 2021 census, was celebrating Lapu-Lapu’s historical stand against colonial invaders. Organizers of the festival described Lapu-Lapu as a symbol of Filipino resilience and identity.

British Columbia Premier David Eby emphasized that the tragedy would not overshadow the significance of the festival, urging residents to support the victims and their families. “The Filipino community is an essential and generous part of our province,” he said.

Meanwhile, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. issued a statement pledging that the Philippine Consulate in Vancouver would cooperate fully with Canadian authorities to support the victims and ensure a thorough investigation.

This senseless act has left the city, and particularly Vancouver’s vibrant Filipino community, grieving but also determined to heal together.