Family of man killed in Taipei attack holds private funeral

Taipei, Jan. 3 (CNA) The family of a man killed while trying to stop an attacker in Taipei last month held a private funeral on Saturday at the city's Huai Ai Funeral Parlor, attended by Mayor Chiang Wan-an (蔣萬安) and several other government officials.

The coffin of 57-year-old Yu Chia-chang (余家昶) was draped with the Republic of China (Taiwan) national flag, with condolence notes from the public placed alongside it.

Yu, a Taoyuan resident, was seriously wounded and later died after trying to stop 27-year-old Chang Wen (張文), who threw smoke grenades inside MRT Taipei Main Station and stabbed bystanders near MRT Zhongshan Station on Dec. 19. Chang later fell to his death from the roof of a nearby department store after being pursued by police.

Besides Chiang, Presidential Office Deputy Secretary-General Ho Chih-wei (何志偉), Taoyuan Mayor Chang San-cheng (張善政) and Taipei Rapid Transit Corp. Chairman Chao Shiao-lien (趙紹廉) also attended the funeral to pay their respects.

The funeral was not open to media coverage.

Yu's wife and daughter previously issued a statement asking that people respect their need for privacy and time to grieve. They also encouraged those wishing to make donations to support other individuals or charitable groups in Yu's name, so that his love and courage can continue to have a positive impact.