Delivery rider stabbed to death while working in Melbourne; man charged with murder
Food delivery rider Feng Jianming has been stabbed to death while working in Melbourne, Australia. The 47-year-old delivery rider was stabbed in the city centre on Friday night. His death has left the city of Melbourne and gig worker communities in Australia and abroad in mourning.
Police said that on Friday night, Feng Jianming and another rider confronted a man allegedly tampering with their bikes in the city centre. An altercation followed. The man, aged 51, is alleged to have stabbed both riders.
The scene was on Frederick Way. Emergency services rushed to the scene, but Feng could not be saved. He died there.
The other rider injured in the attack was taken to hospital. The 34-year-old remained in hospital with serious injuries on Monday.
The accused man is a resident of Footscray. Police arrested him on Saturday. On Monday morning, he was charged with one count of murder and intentionally causing serious injury. He was remanded in custody to appear before Melbourne Magistrates' Court on Monday.
Feng Jianming was originally from China's Shaanxi Province. He had been in Australia for about nine years. He supported his family working as a HungryPanda delivery rider.
His wife, Xu, their four parents and two children all relied on his hard work to get by at home. News of Feng's death has left his family bereft.
Over the weekend, mourners left floral tributes and notes near the State Library. Some cards expressed sympathy for his family. Others vented grave frustrations, with messages such as "city of criminal" and "Asian lives matter".
To help Feng's family, the Melbourne Chinatown Business Association set up a GoFundMe fundraiser. By Monday morning, it had raised almost $390,000. The money will be used for the family's emergency travel and funeral expenses.
Food delivery company HungryPanda said it was assisting the family with visa arrangements, funeral expenses, financial support and insurance.
News of Feng's death reverberated through Melbourne and gig worker communities. The killing of a rider on the job has raised fresh questions about the safety of delivery workers. The accused man will now face the court, while the grieving family and community prepare to farewell their loved one.
