MELBOURNE, VIC. — Family and friends have paid tribute to a hard-working and generous father who was allegedly stabbed to death while delivering food for Hungry Panda.
He is one of two delivery riders who were allegedly attacked after seeing a man tampering with their bikes on Fredrick Way, where, on Friday night, he was located with suspected stab wounds, police said.
CPR was performed, but Jianming Feng, 47, was declared deceased at the scene at about 8.20pm.
The two men confronted a 51-year-old, and an altercation occurred, with both allegedly stabbed and emergency services called.
Jianming Feng, 47, died at the scene, with his identity confirmed by several media outlets and a GoFundMe page set up to support his family.
A short time later, his 34-year-old colleague was taken to hospital for treatment of his injuries.
The 51-year-old man involved in the altercation was arrested and was due to be interviewed yesterday.
Mr Feng, affectionately known to friends and colleagues as Brother Feng, has been remembered as a hardworking father, loving husband and a familiar face in Melbourne’s Chinatown, the GoFundMe said.
“What should have been another ordinary Friday evening at work ended in an unimaginable tragedy,” the page said.
He is originally from Shaanxi Province, China, and came to Australia in 2017 to work and support his family back home.
“His colleagues told us he rarely spent money on himself. Almost everything he earned went towards supporting his loved ones back in China. Even his shoes were among the cheapest he could find,” the page said.
“His colleagues remember him as incredibly diligent, generous and kind-hearted.”
The fundraiser, set up by Melbourne Chinatown Business Association, has already raised more than $7000 to help his wife and children with emergency travel and accommodation, as well as funeral expenses.
“For years, Brother Feng delivered food to our homes, workplaces and restaurants. He was part of the everyday life of our city, even if many of us never knew his name,” it said.
“He deserved to finish his shift and return home safely.”
Mr Feng’s wife said he was the main breadwinner in their family and was supporting elderly parents and young children.
“His life can’t just be taken away like this, as though it meant nothing,” she told 7News.com.au.
The suspect remains in custody.
Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
