If you live in Vancouver, now is a helpful time to donate blood since there will be a need.
Truly horrifying to hear.
Cars are weapons and must be treated accordingly, or this will keep happening.
Requirements for a license to operate cars and guns should be on par.
Seems like a very reasonable standard, yeah.
They pretty much are in Canada. You need to take tests to prove basic competency of training.
Anything can be used as a weapon if the person wishing to do harm is unstable enough or it’s pre-meditated and they’re crazy enough.
Here in BC, you only get retested for driving competency if you have a stroke/seizure/enter a coma.
I have personally seen doctors write multiple letters of competency for someone who couldn’t pass the vision test, written signs test, briefly forgot where he was, and needed a mobility aid. We still gave him a road test, which he failed, and got harassed by him and his doctor for months about giving him his license back.
Get your license suspended for reckless or impaired driving? As long as you have your full license (which is a 3 year process here) you just have to pay us $500-5000 + pay off your fines and you can drive again in 3-6 months, no retesting needed. Sure, if you get suspended 3+ times you have to go to AA, anger management, or a defensive driving course, but its only like 3 sessions.
Our basic competency is honestly a joke, and we basically never retest people… And honestly, as long as you aren’t literally blind, we also don’t permanently take away you license as long as you have money.
My GG had dementia and incredibly poor eyesight and was still legally allowed to drive up until she was hospitalized. She was over 80 at that time.
The system needs a massive overhaul, and it should start with mandatory retesting when you have to renew your license.
I thought DUIs were like manslaughter charges serious up in Canada. I’ve worked with some guys who had gotten them and they said they couldn’t go to Canada anymore.
Yes, they do have further reaching effects, but if its just a DUI, you basically just get a fine, a temporary license suspension, maybe have to deal with a probationary officer for awhile, and a breathalyzer in any vehicle you may drive.
It takes several years of not renewing your expired or suspended license before you have to do more than pay some fees to get your license back once the suspension is over.
The issue is not whether the knowledge exists to operate a vehicle or gun safely. But the background check to determine if they might not.
That’s a fair point.
Compiling some links in a thread in !vancouver@lemmy.ca. I’ve copied the current version below, but please see the linked thread for the most up to date version: https://lemmy.ca/post/42967562
Information
WARNING: There are graphic videos of the event and aftermath. Keep that in mind when going through any social media posts. The news articles are generally ‘safe’ to read.
Social media threads:
-
r/Vancouver: https://www.reddit.com/r/vancouver/comments/1k8v49i/
News Articles:
- https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/vehicle-hits-crowd-filipino-festival-lapu-lapu-day-block-party-1.7519778
- https://vancouver.citynews.ca/2025/04/26/major-police-incident-vancouver-lapu-lapu-festival/
- https://theprovince.com/news/police-incident-at-lapu-lapu-day-in-vancouver/wcm/8078cf55-f577-49a1-a041-6bdd6d7c2bef
- https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/british-columbia/article-vancouver-festival-driver-incident-deaths-injuries-updates-lapu-lapu/
- https://vancouversun.com/news/police-incident-at-lapu-lapu-day-in-vancouver
Let me know if any information belongs in this thread and I’ll edit it in.
Support Resources:
Local Resources
Vancouver Police Victim Services: As per their website - Victim Services staff members are not police officers; they are civilian employees of the VPD with specialized training in emotional support, crisis intervention, and communication skills, and with education in areas such as psychology, social work or other related disciplines.
Staff are available to provide free and confidential support to victims, witnesses, and family members affected by crime and trauma.
If you have been affected by crime or trauma, contact the VPD Victim Services Unit at 604-717-2737.
Vancouver Coastal Regional Distress Line: 604-872-3311
BC Mental Health & Crisis Response (no area code needed): 310-6789
Suicide Crisis Helplines: Text or call 9-8-8 from anywhere in Canada or call 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433) in BC, both available 24/7.
Learn about what resources are available in your community, including mental health supports. Available 24/7 and Canada wide: Call 211 or visit 211.ca
Crisis Centre: https://www.crisiscentre.bc.ca/
Other Resources
A few people have recommended doing a visuospatial activity, such as playing tetris, to help reduce trauma related intrusive memories from the incident
https://www.ox.ac.uk/news/2017-03-28-tetris-used-prevent-post-traumatic-stress-symptoms
A single dose psychological intervention, which includes using the computer game Tetris, can prevent the unpleasant, intrusive memories that develop in some people after suffering a traumatic event.
Some tetris links:
What can you do
I haven’t seen an official call for donations yet, but I’ve compiled some comments / links.
Blood donation eligibility information: https://www.blood.ca/en/blood/am-i-eligible-donate-blood
What types might be in need:
Filipinos blood type distribution is 86% O-positive, and 8% A-positive, so if you are type O and A consider donating. Oak street location is open pretty much every day
3D Tetris is probably also helpful
The article says that they don’t consider it an act of terrorism. Unless the guy was so drunk that he had no idea what was happening how was it not an act of terrorism?
EDIT: More reading and someone says he appeared to have mental health issues.
“The person we have in custody does have a significant history of interactions with police and health-care professionals related to mental health,” he told a briefing on Sunday.
Useful context.
So… Maybe he
shouldshouldn’t have been licensed to handle a deadly weapon. Edit: shouldntThere are tons of people on the road who shouldnt have licenses.
Maybe he should have been licensed to handle a deadly weapon
Do we know that he had a valid licence?
The guy was allowed to enter the street as it was the end of the event and cars were coming in to pack up. He reportedly bumped one person with the side of his car at a relatively low speed and then suddenly hit the accelerator hard and went straight into the crowd. Video of him being held by people waiting for the police to arrive shows him looking like he’s also in shock and he apologizes for what he did. The guy’s brother was also murdered (not by a Filipino) and then his mom attempted suicide in recent years and he’s had a bunch of mental health issues and run ins with police, but seems to have no criminal record. I have no idea what was going on in his head. I don’t understand why he did what he did. It’s an awful thing to do. It just doesn’t seem like a terrorist attack.
Edit: He has now been charged with 8 counts of second degree murder, not first degree murder. Second degree murder is not premeditated, so not an act of terrorism. It suggests a decision made in the moment.
Sounds like a classic case of driver panic slamming the pedals and mistakes the accelerator with the brake. Just unfortunately, it wasnt into a building’s wall like most incidents.
looking like he’s also in shock and he apologizes for what he did.
You might be surprised to learn that almost every criminal tries to appear apologetic after they get caught. Usually as an attempt to prevent facing the consequences of their actions.
This stuff doesn’t happen here in BC. I’m holding onto hope it was somehow an accident because this is beyond fucked.
Oh it absolutely does. Lynn Valley Library?
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