Teacher, Realtor, and five-year-old girl were among Vancouver festival victims

By Canadian Press on April 28, 2025.

VANCOUVER — Tributes and condolences are coming in for the 11 people killed in a vehicle ramming at a Vancouver festival on Saturday. Here is what we know about some of the confirmed victims so far:

KIRA SALIM

Salim was a teacher-counsellor at Fraser River Middle School and New Westminster Secondary School. A statement from the superintendent of the school district says Salim’s wisdom and care for students had a powerful impact.

“Their work, and the great spirit they brought to it, changed lives,” the statement says of Salim.

New West Pride posted a tribute saying Salim was “an epic drag king, a wonderful exuberant contributor to our local community, volunteer, activist, local educator, mental health worker.”

RICHARD LE, LIN HOANG AND DAUGHTER KATIE LE

Richard Le, 47, was a realtor who had been attending the Lapu Lapu Day festival with his wife and daughter.

Toan Le says his older brother was always there when he needed help. “I remember when I was a kid, I was bullied, and he stepped in, and he ended up getting beat up,” he said in an interview.

A statement from Royal Pacific Realty says Le had been with the company for more than 15 years, and he was also a “passionate badminton and tennis coach” who spent countless hours mentoring young people.

David Choi, president of Royal Pacific Realty, says “Richard’s legacy of kindness, mentorship, and professional excellence will live on in the many lives he touched.”

Toan Le says Linh Hoang, 30, was a lovely person, and “a dedicated mother” to Katie and her 16-year-old stepbrother Andy. Andy did not attend the festival and instead stayed home to finish his homework.

Toan Le says five-year-old Katie Le “was super energetic.”

“She had a very lovable personality, and she really loved just being around people,” he says.