Colombian Family Members Among Victims in Vancouver Festival Attack
Three Colombian family members were killed in a vehicle ramming attack in Vancouver, resulting in 11 deaths. Alejandro Samper, the son, expressed his grief and frustration over the lack of security measures at the festival. A 30-year-old man faces multiple murder charges, with further investigations ongoing into the circumstances surrounding the event.
VANCOUVER — A devastating turn of events has rocked a Colombian immigrant family after a vehicle-ramming incident in Vancouver’s festival left three of their members dead. They were identified as Glitza Maria Caicedo, Daniel Samper, and their daughter Glitza Daniela Samper. The tragic events unfolded Saturday and led to 11 fatalities in total, with about three dozen others requiring hospitalization.
Alejandro Samper, their son, shared the horrific moment he found out about the attack. After receiving a call from his sister’s fiancé regarding what he described as a “terrible accident,” he rushed to the scene. However, police denied him entry to the area as the situation remained chaotic.
Samper later went to the Vancouver General Hospital, where he learned his sister had already succumbed to her injuries early Sunday morning. Unfortunately, he hasn’t had the chance to say goodbye to either of his parents, their bodies still being withheld due to the ongoing investigation.
He expressed his anguish, explaining that his family represented everything in his life. “My parents sacrificed everything to move us to Canada,” he stated, emphasizing that their relocation in the early 2000s was driven partly by the violence they were trying to escape in Colombia.
In the wake of this tragedy, the family has organized a GoFundMe campaign to raise money for funeral expenses and other costs associated with this unforeseen loss. Samper is at a loss, grappling with the chaos of the event and questioning security measures in place at such gatherings. It led him to wonder why there weren’t barricades similar to those he witnessed at recent events like a Vaisakhi celebration.
“I’m just destroyed. My whole world’s taken away from me,” he said, conveying the magnitude of his grief. The suspect in the case, a 30-year-old man, faces eight counts of murder, with law enforcement indicating more charges might soon follow.
Furthermore, Samper raised concerns about the security oversight at the festival: “Where’s the security? Where were the police when this happened?” He called into question the adequacy of social support systems, referencing the perpetrator’s troubled background as disclosed in media reports.
The loss has extended beyond Samper’s family, affecting others as well. Toan Le confirmed that his brother, Richard Le, along with Richard’s wife Linh Hoang and their five-year-old daughter Katie were also victims of Saturday’s horrific event, amplifying the sorrow felt in the community.
This heartbreaking incident has left many seeking answers and ultimately justice for those lost. Those affected are not only mourning loved ones but are pressing for a conversation about safety at public events moving forward.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published on April 29, 2025.
The tragic killing of three Colombian family members in a Vancouver festival attack underscores serious concerns about public safety at large events. Alejandro Samper’s heart-wrenching account of his family’s losses puts a spotlight on the inquiries into event security and the mental health of the alleged perpetrator. More broadly, this incident raises critical questions about how local authorities can prevent future tragedies and support the victims’ families while grappling with profound societal issues.
Original Source: winnipegsun.com
