Wednesday, January 21, 2026
ADVT 
National

Vancouver festival attack suspect attends sentencing hearing for brother's killer

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 16 Jan, 2026 12:30 PM
  • Vancouver festival attack suspect attends sentencing hearing for brother's killer

The suspect in last year's Lapu Lapu festival attack is attending a sentencing hearing in Vancouver for the killer of his brother, who died in 2024.

A Crown lawyer says Adam Kai-Ji Lo is observing via a video link, with his microphone muted, as the B.C. Supreme Court hears a statement of facts about the killing of Alexander Lo at the hands of Dwight Kematch, who has pleaded guilty to second-degree murder.

Alexander Lo was killed in January 2024, about 15 months before his brother was arrested at the scene of the festival attack and charged with 11 counts of murder.

Crown lawyer Mark Myhre read an agreed statement of facts at the sentencing hearing, describing how Kematch and Alexander Lo met on the gay dating app Grindr.

Myhre says the two began sexual activity at Kematch's home, but at some point he began attacking Lo, punching him and hitting him with a hammer.

Lo fled the room, followed by Kematch who grabbed a knife from the kitchen and stabbed him several times, before Kematch's sister who also lived in the home called 911.   

Picture Courtesy: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

MORE National ARTICLES

About one-third of Canadians optimistic about the new year: survey

About one-third of Canadians optimistic about the new year: survey
This year has been marked by economic upheaval, global conflict and climate change-induced natural disasters, and only a third of Canadians are optimistic things will get better in 2026, a new Leger poll suggests.

About one-third of Canadians optimistic about the new year: survey

Santa cleared for Christmas Eve travel, transport minister says

Santa cleared for Christmas Eve travel, transport minister says
The federal transport minister says Santa Claus has been cleared for travel in Canadian airspace.

Santa cleared for Christmas Eve travel, transport minister says

Western and Northern Canada braces for chilly, snowy Christmas

Western and Northern Canada braces for chilly, snowy Christmas
Frigid temperatures across much of Western Canada include advisories warning parts of Alberta to prepare for a snowy Christmas Eve and Christmas Day

Western and Northern Canada braces for chilly, snowy Christmas

Vancouver Island MP Aaron Gunn won't run for leadership of B.C. Conservatives

Vancouver Island MP Aaron Gunn won't run for leadership of B.C. Conservatives
Vancouver Island MP Aaron Gunn says he won't run for the leadership of the Conservative Party of B.C. because he doesn't want to risk giving the federal Liberals a majority government. 

Vancouver Island MP Aaron Gunn won't run for leadership of B.C. Conservatives

Prime Minister Mark Carney's holiday message to Canadians

Prime Minister Mark Carney's holiday message to Canadians
Prime Minister Mark Carney says the holiday season is a time to slow down and reflect and to reconnect with loved ones.

Prime Minister Mark Carney's holiday message to Canadians

5 people hospitalized in E. coli outbreak linked to Pillsbury brand Pizza Pops

5 people hospitalized in E. coli outbreak linked to Pillsbury brand Pizza Pops
The Public Health Agency of Canada is reporting a fifth hospitalization in an E. coli outbreak linked to recalled Pillsbury brand Pizza Pops. 

5 people hospitalized in E. coli outbreak linked to Pillsbury brand Pizza Pops