A driver killed nine people when he plowed through a crowd at a Filipino cultural celebration in Vancouver on Saturday night, police said Sunday. Authorities have arrested a suspect but ruled out terrorism as a motive for the incident.

The Filipino community had gathered in the Sunset on Fraser neighborhood for the Lapu Lapu Festival, an annual event that honors the Filipino anti-colonial leader from the 16th century, when the vehicle struck festivalgoers.

“We can confirm nine people have died after a man drove through a crowd at last night's Lapu Lapu Festival,” Vancouver police said in a post on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.

Police spokesman Steve Rai confirmed that a 30-year-old man from Vancouver, who was known to law enforcement, was arrested at the scene. However, Rai emphasized that authorities were not treating the event as an "act of terrorism." The motive behind the incident remains unclear, with police unable to immediately determine whether the driver intentionally hit the crowd.

Footage verified by AFP showed a black SUV with a damaged hood parked near the scene, surrounded by debris. First responders were seen tending to injured festivalgoers lying on the ground.

“I offer my deepest condolences to the loved ones of those killed and injured, to the Filipino Canadian community, and to everyone in Vancouver,” Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney wrote on X, expressing his devastation over the tragedy.

Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre also tweeted his shock, saying, “I am shocked by the horrific news emerging from Vancouver's Lapu Lapu Day Festival tonight.”

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. expressed his sorrow, saying he was "completely shattered to hear about the terrible incident."

Eyewitnesses described the chaotic scene. Sheila Nocasa, who had left the festival 10 minutes before the incident, said she was stunned after receiving messages about the tragedy. “It was a shock,” she said. “I feel very sorry and devastated.”

Festival security guard Jen Idaba-Castaneto told Vancouver Is Awesome, "You don't know who to help, here or there. There were bodies everywhere."

Witness Dale Selipe told the Vancouver Sun that she saw injured children on the street, including a woman with a broken leg and another victim whose eyes were staring blankly up.

“We are still finding the words to express the deep heartbreak brought on by this senseless tragedy,” said Filipino BC, the event’s organizer, in a statement on Instagram. “We are focused on supporting our community right now, in addition to experiencing this trauma.”

The event, which included a parade, film screening, dancing, and performances by two members of the Black Eyed Peas, was meant to celebrate Filipino culture. Lapu Lapu Day commemorates the indigenous chief who defeated Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan in battle in 1521.

As Canadians head to the polls on Monday for a hotly contested election, the tragedy has cast a shadow over the political landscape. Carney, the leading candidate, has focused his campaign on rising living costs and tackling U.S. tariffs.

King Charles expressed his condolences, saying he was “profoundly saddened” by the incident.