Not terrorism – Vancouver Police speaks as nine die after driver rams into crowd

Police have confirmed that nine people were killed and several others injured after a driver plowed into a crowd at a street festival in Vancouver, Canada, on Saturday night.

The driver has been taken into custody following the incident on East 41st Ave. and Fraser Street.

In a statement on their X account, the police said, “Our thoughts are with all those affected by this tragic incident.”;

Police did not immediately provide a possible motive, but have identified the suspect as a 30-year-old man from Vancouver.

They however insisted that they are “confident that this incident was not an act of terrorism.”

Vancouver police interim chief, Steve Rai, told reporters at the scene of the crash that “A lone suspect, subject male, with one vehicle drove through a crowded community event occurring near here.”;

“That male was taken into custody at the scene by the crowd,”; he added, and was later handed over to police.

“Going forward, the entire investigative component — sections of the Vancouver Police Department — with support of other areas will be conducting a full investigation of what occurred here tonight.”;

The site of the crash is near the posted location of the Lapu-Lapu Day block party, a celebration of Filipino culture.