Kai-ji Adam Lo, 30, has been charged with eight counts of murder. This comes after a deadly rampage on Lapu Lapu Day in Vancouver. Police say more charges may follow as the investigation continues. They also confirmed that some victims remain unidentified. Lo had previously shown signs of a deteriorating mental state, which was known to both police and healthcare professionals.
Search at Lo’s Residence
On Sunday evening, Vancouver Police executed a search warrant at the home Lo shared with his mother. Officers arrived around 7 p.m., bringing boxes and searching the basement suite and laneway house. Police hinted that more charges could follow, and they plan to release more information about the victims soon.
A Family’s Tragedy
In January 2024, Lo’s brother, Alexander Lo, passed away. The family was deeply affected by his death. Adam Lo had written about the loss in a fundraising post, expressing sorrow over his brother’s death in a senseless act of violence. Alexander’s body was found near Knight Street and East 33rd Avenue. Dwight William Kematch, 39, was later arrested and charged with second-degree murder.
Adam Lo reflected on the death, mentioning regret for not spending more time with his brother. The family raised over $9,000 for Alexander’s funeral. Adam Lo wrote that he felt remorse for not being closer to his brother before his passing.
Ongoing Struggles and Mental Health Concerns
Months after his brother’s death, Adam Lo asked for public support again. This time, his mother had attempted suicide and needed hospitalization for a month. In a post, Lo described how his mother was grieving. He noted that her sorrow was greater than his own. She had already lost one son and nearly lost another.
Lo and his mother co-owned a 2018 Audi Q7 SUV, which was used during the deadly rampage. The attack, which occurred along East 43rd Avenue, killed victims aged 5 to 65. A family member had contacted a psych ward hours before the incident, citing concerns about Lo’s mental health. Sources said Lo was experiencing delusions and paranoia. It remains unclear whether any intervention occurred.
Previous Interactions with Authorities
Vancouver Police confirmed that Lo had several past interactions with both police and healthcare professionals. These interactions were mainly due to his mental health struggles, and some were recent. It’s unclear whether these warnings were enough to prevent the tragedy that occurred on Lapu Lapu Day.
Political Response to Mental Health Issues
Politicians have expressed concern about mental health services after the tragedy. Premier David Eby said Lo’s actions showed that he was profoundly ill. He emphasized the urgent need for better mental health intervention services.
Eby highlighted the recent opening of secure involuntary mental health beds in Surrey pretrial jail as a positive step. However, he stressed that more work is needed. He also mentioned that the province needs better systems in place to prevent incidents like this from happening again.
While the investigation continues, Premier Eby called for more transparency. He also urged officials to look into possible improvements in public event security and healthcare responses to mental health crises.
What’s Next for the Investigation?
The investigation into the Lapu Lapu Day killings is ongoing. Police and healthcare systems are under scrutiny, with many asking what could have been done to prevent Lo’s violent actions. As the case unfolds, authorities promise to provide more answers and implement necessary changes to avoid future tragedies.
Ongoing Updates
The investigation remains active. More details will emerge as authorities work to identify all victims and piece together the events leading up to the attack. Updates will be provided as new information becomes available.
