Image: The Canadian Press / Flowers have been placed at the site of last week's mass casualty incident in Vancouver. A candlelight vigil will be held in Chilliwack this week to remember the 11 victims, one of whom was a 5-year-old girl.

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Community vigil

Chilliwack residents to hold candlelight vigil in memory of Lapu Lapu Day festival victims

May 1, 2025 | 10:01 AM

CHILLIWACK — A candlelight vigil will be held this week in Chilliwack to remember the 11 victims of last weekend’s horrific mass casualty incident at the Lapu Lapu Day festival in Vancouver.

According to the text of a flyer sent to Fraser Valley Today, Chilliwack-area residents are invited to come to Central Community Park in downtown Chilliwack on Friday night, May 2 at 7 p.m. and share in a solemn moment of remembrance. Central Community Park is located at 45951 Victoria Avenue.

“In this time of sorry, we gather as a community to remember those we lost and support those who grieve,” the flyer said. “Join us for a candlelight vigil in honor of the victims of the Lapu-Lapu Festival tragedy. Together, we will reflect, pray, and stand united in grief and hope.”

Attendees are asked to wear white or light-coloured clothing. In compliance with city regulations, only battery-operated candles are allowed. The flyer does not list a specific organization involved in planning the candlelight vigil.

A teacher-counsellor, a Filipino immigrant who came to Canada for a better life, and a 5-year-old girl were among the victims in last Saturday’s horrific tragedy after a vehicle plowed through a crowded festival.

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The suspect in the horrific incident, 30-year-old Kai-Ji Adam Lo, had been receiving mental health treatment but was on extended leave under the Mental Health Act. He remains in custody awaiting a court appearance on May 26.