Kai-Ji Adam Lo, the man accused of killing 11 people in a car-ramming incident at the Lapu-Lapu Day festival in South Vancouver, has been deemed mentally fit to stand trial. Judge Reginald Harris made the ruling during a court session on Wednesday. Lo, 30, will remain in custody as he faces multiple charges.

In addition to the 11 counts of second-degree murder, Lo has been charged with 31 counts of attempted murder related to the surviving victims of the April 26 attack. The Vancouver Police Department confirmed these additional charges were filed shortly before the judge's decision.

Lo was arrested at the scene after allegedly driving his SUV into a crowd during the festival. A three-day hearing was held to assess his mental fitness, during which the court reviewed evidence and expert testimony from forensic psychiatrists. The focus of the hearing was on Lo's current mental state, rather than his condition at the time of the incident.

Richard Schneider, a retired judge and forensic psychiatry professor, noted that mental competency can fluctuate. "In some mental disorders, there is a reasonable prognosis that given some time and treatment adherence, the psychotic symptoms will subside, and the accused will become fit to stand trial," he said. He added that the court can revisit the issue of mental competency multiple times throughout the trial.

To be considered fit for trial, a defendant must understand the nature and consequences of the court proceedings and be able to communicate effectively with their legal counsel. Reports indicate that Lo was under the care of a mental health team at the time of the attack.

Judge Harris is also expected to rule on a publication ban concerning details from the mental fitness hearing. This ban has been challenged by a media consortium seeking to lift restrictions on the information shared during the proceedings.

In the aftermath of the tragedy, both the provincial government and the City of Vancouver have released reports aimed at improving safety at public events. The provincial report recommends enhanced risk assessments and clearer jurisdictional responsibilities, while the city's report emphasizes the need for better physical protections against vehicle attacks, including the installation of barriers in public spaces.