A fundraising page for Van Viet Truong has been shut down after the family of the slain Vietnamese shopkeeper raised the alarm that they were not involved in the campaign, which had already raised $13,000.
In a Facebook post on Tuesday night a woman who said she was a family member of the grocery store owner who died while rushing to the aid of a fellow retail worker said that “our family is aware of a fundraiser” being shared to cover funeral expenses.
“However, our family would like to confirm that we have NOT set up any donation fund, are not calling for donations, and do not authorize anyone to donate on our behalf,” the post read.
“Therefore, we ask everyone to BE AWARE and temporarily refrain from donating or sharing this fundraiser until our family has an official announcement.
“We are only posting this announcement because we do not want anyone to accidentally transfer money to a fund that has not been officially confirmed by our family.
“If in the future our family has any official donation form, we will directly inform everyone.”
On Wednesday, following the post, the campaign was suspended by the organiser.
The organiser, listed as William Wong, had originally said that “Your donation, no matter the size, will be a tribute to a man who proved that a life lived for others is a life that matters”.
He said that “I am not related to Van”, but said that he would “post photos of myself and his family receiving the cheque once this is finished”.
The campaign had raised $13,035 of its $40,000 goal.
He said on Wednesday, however, that “I have been in contact with Van Truong’s family, and after careful discussion, I have decided to close this campaign and issue full refunds to all donors”.
“The family has expressed that they do not wish to receive these funds, and I am respecting their wishes as they navigate their grief and privacy.”
“I sincerely apologise for any confusion this may have caused. Thank you again for your compassion and for wanting to support Van’s family.”