The man accused of killing 11 people in a car-ramming attack at a Filipino festival in Vancouver earlier this year has been deemed fit for trial.
According to the Canadian Press, a judge ruled that Adam Kai-Ji Lo is mentally fit to stand trial, but reasons for the decision are still unclear due to a publication ban.
Before the judge’s decision was announced today, another 31 charges were laid against Lo in connection to the April 26 mass-casualty event at the Lapu Lapu Day celebration.
He now faces 31 counts of attempted murder in connection to the surviving victims of the attack, a statement from the Vancouver Police Department (VPD) explained.
Lo already faced 11 charges of second-degree murder in relation to the people who were killed that day.
“This is another step toward answers and accountability in one of the most horrific incidents our city has ever faced,” VPD Chief Cst. Steve Rai said through a media release issued today. “I extend my deepest condolences to everyone impacted by the Lapu Lapu Festival attack.”
Rai extended gratitude to all VPD personnel who have investigated the mass-casualty incident and the BC Prosecution Service for its “diligence during the charge-assessment process.”
In a statement released six days after the fatal attack at the Lapu Lapu Day celebration “one of the darkest days” in the city’s history.
