Warning: Some of the details of this story are disturbing. Discretionary power is recommended.
When Paul Palines and a friend went to Lapu Lapu Festival In Vancouver on Saturday, April 26, he said that the atmosphere was happy, that people were having fun and that it seemed to be a perfect night.
But the night became tragic when an SUV went to a crowd of people attending the Filipino festival, killing 11 people and injuring dozens of others.
Palines said he was standing near the catering trucks, near the east of the 41st avenue and Fraser Street, when he heard noisy blows.
“The next thing I know, I saw a lot of people who were running and I heard, a lot of screams too, until I, I didn’t know what was going on, but at the same time I knew it was really bad,” Global News told Global News.
“And then finally, I saw the car stop, as if everything was bursting and the driver tried to get out of the car at the time.”
Palines said the driver was trying to get out of the airbags and once Palines said he looked back and then started to run away.
“As I wanted to catch him, I just started moving and I started to continue him,” he said. “I just sprinkle … then finally I had my arm and looked at the guy.
“I said to myself,” What are you doing guy, you can’t leave. ” It was a lot because I was in shock once I got it too, once I got it. ”
Palines said that another man came and threw the suspect on the ground.
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He got up, but no more people started to curl up around them, ending very.
Palines said that the driver finally started telling him that he had to get out of there, but he couldn’t because of the crowd.
He said he knew he didn’t want the suspect to run away because something really bad had happened, but everyone was in shock.
Palines said that the man did not stop saying that he had to get out of there.
“Once I saw the cries and people run away, I knew I could do something at least,” he added.
“When it happened, I just went, I went to get the guy and that’s what happened.”
Palines said that the scene was so chaotic, so many people cry and cry, then many swore the suspect.
“I just stayed there and I was right there to see people swearing it,” he said. “Many swear on.
“I still remember a guy who threw him a can of beer, then it was only chaos, then finally some people went just to protect him against the strike by the rest of the community.”
Palines added that when someone said the police came, it was when he left to find his friend and make sure he was fine.
He said he was happy to be able to do something to help, but he doesn’t consider himself a hero.
“I just think I did my thing because I was able to act,” he said.
“At the time, I just assess the situation when it happened, then once I saw it, and when it started to run away, I said to myself:” Okay, I can catch it “.
“I wanted to instantly catch it right away so that I could avoid more harm, even if it is already seriously injured, but I know that I can catch it right away.”
Kai-ji Adam Lo, 30, was arrested on the scene on Saturday and has since been accused of eight second-degree murder leaders.
Speaking on Wednesday morning, the mayor of Vancouver, Ken Sim, confirmed that the suspect was under the care of a mental health care team, but he was on extended leave at the time.
Vancouver police said that more charges were expected, but there is no calendar for the investigation.
Palines, who said that he would not normally assist in community events, said that his experience had brought him closer to a lot, but he always deals with what happened.
“I still remember as (that) continued to play again and again, all,” he said.
“All the police, all the injuries and the people who have already transmitted. It was really devastating.”
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