Lapu Lapu Day festival suspect was in care of mental health team

The Vancouver Coastal Health Authority confirms that the driver accused of plowing his car through a section of a busy Filipino festival, killing 11 people, was under the care of one of its mental health teams when the incident happened.

In a statement to 1130 NewsRadio, the health authority says the suspect, 30-year-old Kai-Ji Adam Lo, was on extended leave in accordance with the Mental Health Act.

“Extended leave is intended to help clients maintain their treatment plans while transitioning back to the community for ongoing support,” VCH said in its statement.

“In this situation, the care team followed established guidelines for a client on extended leave, and there was no indication this person was not following their treatment plan or presented a public safety risk,” it continued.

Lo now faces eight charges of second-degree murder.