Kira Salim
Age 3426 Apr 2025
Vancouver, British Colombia (Canada)
Run over
Kira identified as nonbinary and was one of eleven people killed when a vehicle ploughed into pedestrains at a festival.
Adam Lo has been charged with eight counts of second-degree murder, with more charges expected.
A trans teacher-counsellor who moved to Canada from Brazil so they could more safely be queer in public and an energetic five-year-old who was about to graduate from kindergarten are among those who were killed when a vehicle barrelled into a crowded street festival in Vancouver.
Kira Salim, 34, was identified as a victim in the festival attack by the New Westminster school district, which said the death has left friends and colleagues shocked and heartbroken.
Mx. Salim, who was trans and non-binary, arrived in New Westminster from Brazil three years ago looking for a safer place to be queer and out, friends said.
“They were such a big, energetic, beautiful, smiling human,” said Nadia Sorban, who met Mx. Salim when they taught at the American School in Rio de Janeiro a decade ago.
“It doesn’t feel fair for someone so caring and full of life to have been taken this way.”
Mx. Salim was among those at the Lapu Lapu Day block party in Vancouver on Saturday when a black SUV hurtled down the crowded, food truck-lined street, striking dozens of people without slowing. Eleven died, including Mx. Salim and the mother of a friend who accompanied them.
As of Monday, 16 others remained in hospital, according to B.C.’s Ministry of Health. Police said seven were in critical condition and three in serious condition.
A total of 32 patients were rushed to various hospitals Saturday; in all, 13 patients have been discharged with non-life-threatening injuries. Fundraising campaigns have been launched in efforts to support the families of the dead and injured.
Adam Lo has been charged with eight counts of second-degree murder, with more charges expected. Police say they are confident that the attack was not an act of terrorism, though a motive remains unclear. Mr. Lo had extensive contact with police and health professionals related to his mental health – including one with police from a neighbouring jurisdiction one day before the attack – but never of a criminal nature, police said.
Kira's Facebook profile is https://www.facebook.com/clara.salim.3/.
https://vancouversun.com/news/vancouver-lapu-day-tragedy-victims-identified-in-memoriam
https://www.facebook.com/groups/pgmreal/posts/29354154924231096/
