Family of man killed in Chinatown attack hope for solutions to create a safer community
Family members remember one of the men killed in Chinatown this week as a kind and hardworking man, and hope that his needless death will lead to change.
Hung Trang, 64, a husband, father of two daughters and proud grandfather, was seriously assaulted while at work at Albert's Autobody on Wednesday. He was rushed to hospital but died from his injuries on Thursday.
Christina Trang, his oldest daughter, told CTV News Edmonton the reality of her father's death still has not fully sunk in.
"My dad was the most caring man for his family," Christina said. "It's been difficult after his passing just being home.
"He did everything to care for my mother," she said. "She worked and she came home, and everything was done (for her). She doesn't even know how to use the washer. She's never done her own laundry. She said my dad does everything."
Tony Hai, owner of Albert's Autobody on 106 Avenue and 98 Street, previously told CTV News Edmonton how the shop's surveillance system captured the unprovoked assault on Hung, who was his employee for 33 years.
Hung Trang (Supplied).
Christina says her uncle, who works at Albert's Autobody, is the one that called her.
"I was at work," she said. "(My uncle said) it looked like he got into a fight. His face is all swollen. He's unresponsive. He's not breathing.
"My heart sank. Walking into the ER," she added, "that was the worst feeling ever.
"The doctor came to tell us that he suffered significant trauma to his head. His heart stopped twice. That they did CPR on him for at least 20 minutes, and he had no oxygen to his brain for that long."
"It all still just feels unreal," Christina said. "It's just not the same anymore."
On Friday, the Edmonton Police Service said Justin Bone, 36, was charged with two counts of second-degree murder and a robbery charge in the fatal beating of 61-year-old Ban Phuc Hoang.
According to police, Hoang was located as officers discovered a second scene at 105 Avenue and 98 Street at an electronics business. Paramedics later pronounced him dead at the scene.
Bone was taken into custody, Hai said, after he and a private security guard called police as they followed him.
Police say Bone was not known to either victim, and that no further suspects are being sought.
'SOMETHING NEEDS TO CHANGE'
Christina said her dad loved to laugh, was dedicated, and could "talk your ear off" once he knew a person. He also spent a lot of time at Sweet Basil Vietnamese Kitchen, a Windermere restaurant their family once owned.
"I never actually realized how connected he was in the Chinese community there. Knowing everybody," she added.
Christina is sure that her dad would not want this to happen to anyone else.
"It's really sad that it's gotten to this point where my dad and the other victim (Hoang) had to give up their life for the city to finally start noticing this," Christina said.
"I grew up there (at Albert's Autobody)," she added. "We would visit my dad at work.
"But we haven't gone there for a long time. It's just not the same anymore."
She hopes the city will finally find a way to permanently address issues Chinatown has been dealing with for years.
"Something needs to change there," Christina said. "Truthfully, I don't know (the answer), but if the homeless are scared of the homeless there, that's a major issue, and that needs to be changed to create a more safe community for everybody there."
With files from CTV News Edmonton's Sean Amato
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had with him in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Jeremy Skibicki has 'uphill battle' to prove he's not criminally responsible in Winnipeg killings: legal analysts
Accused killer Jeremy Skibicki could have a challenging time convincing a judge that he is not criminally responsible for the deaths of four Indigenous women, a legal analyst says.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
Air France flight from Paris to Seattle lands in Iqaluit after heat smell in cabin
A plane travelling from Paris to Seattle was forced to make an emergency landing in Iqaluit after there was a heat smell in the cabin during the flight.
CFL suspends Argos QB Chad Kelly at least nine games following investigation
The CFL suspended Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for at least nine regular-season games Tuesday following its investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach against both the player and club.
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America is changing its name for the first time in its 114-year history and will become Scouting America. It's a significant shift as the organization emerges from bankruptcy following a flood of sexual abuse claims and seeks to focus on inclusion.
Alcohol believed to be a factor in boating incident after 2 men die: N.S. RCMP
Two Nova Scotia men are dead after a boat they were travelling in sank in the Annapolis River in Granville Centre, N.S., on Monday.
Security guard shot, critically injured outside of Drake's Toronto mansion
A security guard working at Drake’s Bridle Path mansion in Toronto was seriously injured in a shooting outside the residence early Tuesday morning, police said.