The man accused of eight counts of murder after allegedly driving a vehicle into a crowd of Vancouver Filipino festival-goers last week appeared briefly in Vancouver Provincial Court Friday.
Eleven people were killed and many more injured as terror unfolded April 26 at the Lapu Lapu Day festival in east Vancouver when a black Audi SUV rammed through the crowd between food trucks on a side street off Fraser Street.
Police announced the next day Kai-Ji Adam Lo had been charged with eight counts of second-degree murder.
Lo soon appeared in court and remains in custody.
He again appeared May 2 before Judge Reginald Harris via video from a Surrey detention centre.
The judge ordered a 30-day psychiatric assessment in custody to determine if Lo is fit to stand trial.
He is represented by lawyer Mark Swarz.
Lo was clad in a red jail T-shirt and pants, sitting in a room with a blue couch and telephone on the call.
He spoke only briefly before court, waving at the camera.
"What is 222 Main?" Lo asked, referring to the onscreen address of the courthouse.
Security was heavy and victim services workers were on hand to assist those attending the appearance.
The appearance was for an application from Swarz for a psychiatric evaluation.
Harris imposed a publication ban on the proceedings. Such bans are generally put in place to protect court processes, the rights of the accused and to avoid tainting a potential jury pool.
Lo returns to court May 30.
The appearance came as B.C. Premier David Eby declared the day as one of remembrance for victims of what he called a “murderous attack.”
“A joyous festival in celebration of Filipino culture and history ended with a senseless attack that left 11 dead, many injured and many more traumatized,” he said.
“People around the world join us in mourning the lives lost and the awful toll resulting from the act of a single man.”
Indeed, it was local, national and international media members who appeared as observers at Lo’s court appearance.
"To everyone suffering: your pain is our pain,” Eby said. “Your loss is our loss. We stand with you. We can all find strength in the silent vigils, the religious services and the outpouring of support throughout our province and throughout the world.
"What we have been witnessing in defiance of this senseless attack is Bayanihan, the unconquerable Filipino spirit of unity and co-operation.”
Philippine vice-consul Marco Harder was in the courtroom. He said he was attending at the request of the country's ambassador to Canada and the Vancouver consul general.
"The consulate has been very busy trying to get in contact with the victims," Harder said.
He said teams are working at the consulate and in Manilla to determine what assistance can be provided in Vancouver.
An online condolence book is available for those wishing to express their sympathies.
