A madman plowed his SUV through a crowded Filipino street festival in Canada, killing his parents and 5-year-old sister and leaving only a teen son behind.
Andy Le, 16, became the “sole survivor” of the Le family after his parents — 47-year-old Richard and 30-year-old Linh Hoang — and younger sister Katie were mowed down while attending the Lapu Lapu Day block party in Vancouver Saturday.
“[Andy] survived only because, at the last minute, he decided to stay home to finish his homework rather than attend the event with his family,” a verified GoFundMe set up by his extended family read.
The teen’s family was among the 11 people killed and dozens injured when suspect Kai-Ji Adam Lo, 30, allegedly sped his SUV into a crowd of hundreds as the festival was winding down around 8 p.m.
The victims’ ages ranged from 5 to 65 years old.
“One of the youngest victims, Katie, was about to graduate from kindergarten. “She was vibrant, joyful, and full of life,” the GoFundMe stated.
“Richard Le was a dedicated father, badminton and tennis coach, and real estate agent. He dedicated his life to instilling in young people the values of sportsmanship and teamwork,” it added.
“Richard’s wife and Andy’s stepmother, Linh, was known for her kindness and gentle spirit.”
Other victims included Rizza Azzir, a beloved wife who immigrated to Canada in search of a better life.
“We are mourning the tragic and unexpected loss of my dear cousin, Rizza, a loving wife, devoted sister, and cherished loved one to so many,” said the victim’s cousin, Shelby Anne Marie Pacumio, on a GoFundMe page for Rizza’s family.
“To know Rizza meant to truly love her. She had the kindest soul, was humble, and worked extremely hard. Shelby explained that her cousin moved from the Philippines to Winnipeg with her husband in search of a better life, and that she later relocated to Vancouver to be closer to family.
Rizza’s loved ones hope to return his body to the Philippines and have raised over $30,000 to do so.
And two of the dozens injured in the terrifying attack have been identified by family as father Val De La Cruz and his 2-year-old son Jeb, who sustained “severe injuries and multiple fractures,” according to a verified GoFundMe set up by Val’s brother.
“Both are now fighting for their lives in the ICU,” the page stated.
“Val is a devoted and loving father whose life revolves around his son. “His bond with Jeb is unbreakable, and he cherishes every moment spent with his little boy,” it continued.
“Jeb is a sweet, easygoing, and incredibly intelligent baby who is always eager to discover and learn new things. “His bright curiosity and gentle nature brighten the lives of those around him.”
The death toll from Saturday’s attack could rise further, police warned Sunday, noting that many of the wounded remained in critical condition.
Adam Lo, the suspect, is in custody after being pulled from the wreckage of his SUV. He was caught on camera cowering against a fence after the attack, saying “I am sorry” as horrified crowds yelled at him and sirens wailed in the background.
He had a “significant” history of previous law enforcement interactions involving mental health issues, according to police.
The motive for the attack remains unknown, but terrorism has been ruled out.