A joyful family reunion ended in heartbreak this weekend when a mother visiting from the Philippines became one of three victims killed during a violent attack at a festival in Vancouver’s Chinatown district.
Dorothy Matilde, 60, had traveled from her home in the Philippines to visit her daughter in British Columbia just two weeks ago. What should have been a celebratory visit turned tragic on Sunday when she attended the Light Up Chinatown Festival with her daughter and granddaughter, according to family members who spoke with CO24 News.
“She was so excited to see her family and explore Canada,” said Maria Santos, a close family friend who had welcomed Matilde at the airport. “No one could have imagined such a beautiful reunion would end this way.”
The incident shocked Vancouver’s tight-knit Filipino and Chinese communities after a driver allegedly plowed his vehicle into festival attendees before being apprehended by police. Officials confirmed two other victims—a man in his 60s and a woman in her 30s—were also killed, while multiple others sustained injuries requiring hospitalization.
Vancouver Police Chief Adam Palmer addressed the tragedy during Monday’s press conference, describing it as “one of the most devastating incidents in recent Vancouver history.” Authorities have detained a 38-year-old suspect from Maple Ridge who reportedly had no prior connection to the victims.
“We’re investigating this as a deliberate act, though the motive remains unclear at this time,” Palmer stated. The suspect faces multiple charges including three counts of murder and seven counts of attempted murder.
Matilde’s daughter, who witnessed the tragedy but escaped physical harm, is receiving support from Canada’s Filipino community organizations. A GoFundMe campaign has already raised over $45,000 to help return Matilde’s remains to the Philippines and support her family during this difficult time.
The Light Up Chinatown Festival, designed to celebrate Chinese culture and revitalize the historic neighborhood after years of pandemic-related challenges, has been a cornerstone event for the community. Festival organizer Carol Lee expressed profound grief in a statement released Tuesday.
“What should have been a celebration of community and resilience became a day of mourning,” Lee said. “We stand with all victims and their families during this unimaginably difficult time.”
The tragedy has prompted discussions about public safety at community events throughout Canada. Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim has promised a thorough review of security protocols for future public gatherings while emphasizing that such isolated incidents should not define the city’s vibrant cultural celebrations.
As the investigation continues, community leaders are calling for unity rather than fear. A candlelight vigil scheduled for Wednesday evening is expected to draw hundreds of mourners from multiple cultural communities across the city.
For the family of Dorothy Matilde, the focus now turns to navigating their grief while making arrangements to return her remains home. As one family member poignantly noted, “She came to Canada full of dreams and joy. How do we make sense of returning her this way?”
As Vancouver processes this tragedy, the question remains: how can communities preserve the openness and celebratory nature of cultural festivals while ensuring the safety of all participants in an increasingly unpredictable world?
