Suspect arrested after car crashes into Cirque du Soleil venue in East Vancouver

CTV News

06-06-2025

A car crashed into the entrance to Pacific Coliseum in East Vancouver during a Cirque du Soleil performance on June 5, 2025. (Credit: Mike Roberts)
A suspect was arrested after allegedly crashing a car into a venue in East Vancouver during a Cirque du Soleil performance Thursday evening.
Few details have been confirmed, but the Vancouver Police Department said the incident does not appear to be an act of terrorism.
'The driver was apprehended under the Mental Health Act,' the VPD said in a brief social media statement.
There have been no reports of injuries.
The vehicle slammed into the entrance of Pacific Coliseum around 8 p.m., approximately one hour after a performance of Cirque du Soleil: Crystal had begun.
Witness Mike Roberts was at the show and said he heard a loud bang that he initially assumed was part of the act.
Roberts told CTV News he quickly got up out of his seat after seeing 'a small piece of the vehicle' had landed near his feet.
'Went behind the curtains and from there saw the car that was sitting inside, or partially inside the Coliseum doors,' he said.
Security apprehended the driver – identified as a 30-year-old Vancouver resident – until police arrived on the scene.
Roberts said he briefly saw officers hogtie the suspect.
The witness told CTV News the incident was particularly alarming coming weeks after the Lapu-Lapu Day attack on April 26, which left 11 people dead and dozens of others injured.
While many details of the crash remain unknown, 'Your mind is going to go there,' Roberts said.
The Cirque du Soleil show ultimately finished following an extended intermission.
With files from CTV News Vancouver's Kevin Charach