The family of Jianming Feng, a 47-year-old HungryPanda delivery rider stabbed to death in Melbourne's CBD on Friday night, is demanding justice, with a 51-year-old Footscray man in custody in connection with the incident. The family is calling for the person responsible to be brought to justice and urging HungryPanda to take responsibility and provide support.
Feng was found with suspected stab wounds to his chest on Frederick Way, near Queen Victoria Market, just before 8.10pm on Friday. CPR was performed, but he died at the scene. Police said the 51-year-old man was arrested on Saturday morning and remains in custody, where he is expected to be interviewed. Police do not believe the men knew each other and are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident.
The confrontation began, according to a nearby restaurant worker who reviewed the restaurant's CCTV footage, when a man allegedly kicked over two delivery riders' bicycles outside the restaurant and the two riders confronted him. Witness Yicong Chen, who filmed the confrontation, said the man repeatedly shouted, "Stop chasing me." The worker told 7NEWS the stabbing was believed to have taken place behind a bus, out of view of the CCTV camera.
Feng and the other rider then ran into the restaurant, where Feng was still trying to collect food for delivery, apparently unaware he had been seriously injured. He began feeling unwell and sat down, before staff noticed blood and realised he had been stabbed. Emergency services were called, but he could not be saved.
Feng moved to Australia from China's Shaanxi Province about nine years ago to earn money for his family, leaving behind his wife and two children in their 20s. He had not returned to China since arriving in about 2017 and had planned to go home in another year or two, possibly when their son got married. Feng was also helping support his elderly father, who had suffered a stroke and was living in a nursing home. Xu, 52, last spoke to Feng by video call about 1.50pm on Friday, hours before he was killed, and later recognised his delivery bag and face in a video circulating online. “I never imagined those would be his last words to me,” she said. “His life can't just be taken away like this, as though it meant nothing.”
HungryPanda confirmed Feng was a registered delivery rider, saying it was "deeply saddened by the tragic incident" and that its thoughts and condolences were with his family. The company said it had established a dedicated response team, was actively reaching out to the family to offer assistance and support, and was cooperating with Victoria Police and relevant authorities in their investigation.
Police said the second delivery rider, 34, also suffered a suspected stab wound and was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- Feng's death has removed the main breadwinner for a family in China, and his wife is calling for help to travel to Australia and for public safety improvements.
- The case highlights the risks faced by food delivery riders working alone in city centres, with a confrontation that began over kicked-over bicycles ending in a fatal stabbing.
- A suspect is in custody and expected to be interviewed, so formal charges could follow soon.
Background
Feng, a father of two from China's Shaanxi Province, had lived in Australia for about nine years while his wife and children remained in China. He was found with suspected stab wounds to the chest on Frederick Way and died at the scene despite efforts to revive him. Another delivery rider was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Key Perspectives
Xu, Feng's wife: says her husband was the family's main breadwinner and that his life can't just be taken away as though it meant nothing; she is urging authorities to bring the person responsible to justice and to help the family travel to Australia.
HungryPanda: confirmed Feng was a registered rider, said it was "deeply saddened by the tragic incident," and says it has set up a response team to offer the family assistance while cooperating with Victoria Police.
What to Watch
- Whether the 51-year-old man is charged after being interviewed in custody.
- Whether HungryPanda's promised support translates into practical help for the family, including travel to Australia.
- Whether police release further details about what led to the confrontation and the alleged attack.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 12 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedA man died from stab wounds in Melbourne’s CBD overnight.Just In: “A man has died from stab wounds in Melbourne's CBD overnight”
- SupportedAnother man was injured in the Melbourne CBD stabbing.Just In: “another was found nearby with a suspected stab wound”
- SupportedPolice are investigating whether the incident was targeted near Queen Victoria Market.Just In: “Homicide detectives are at the scene and are investigating whether the incident was targeted.”
- SupportedEmergency services were called to Frederick Way, near Queen Victoria Market, just after 8pm on Friday.Just In: “Victoria Police said emergency services were called to Frederick Way, near Queen Victoria Market, just after 8pm on Friday.”
- SupportedThe first man was found with stab wounds and treated by paramedics.Just In: “A man was found with stab wounds and was treated by paramedics but died at the scene.”
- SupportedThe first man died at the scene.Just In: “A man was found with stab wounds and was treated by paramedics but died at the scene.”
- SupportedThe second man, aged in his 30s, was found a short time later.Just In: “Police said the second man, aged in his 30s, was found a short time later and taken to hospital with a stab wound.”
- SupportedThe second man was taken to hospital with a stab wound.Just In: “Police said the second man, aged in his 30s, was found a short time later and taken to hospital with a stab wound.”
- SupportedPolice set up a crime scene with cordons between Queen Street and A'Beckett Street.Just In: “Police set up a crime scene with cordons between Queen Street and A'Beckett Street.”
- SupportedPolice have made no arrests.Just In: “Police have not made any arrests”
- SupportedPolice have not released details about the deceased.Just In: “Police have not yet released any details about the man who died.”
- SupportedPolice asked anyone with information to contact CrimeStoppers on 1800 333 000.Just In: “have asked anyone with information to contact CrimeStoppers on 1800 333 000.”