Fundraiser for family of fallen Burnaby Mountie exceeds expectations

As we continue to learn more about Burnaby RCMP Const. Shaelyn (Tzu-Hsin) Yang’s death, a GoFundMe page started by friends and family has already exceeded expectations.

The page created Thursday to help support Yang’s family has already raised nearly $73,000 as of Sunday, exceeding the initial goal of $50,000.

“Shaelyn’s heart gave her the exceptional ability to help the community’s most vulnerable. She was so full of compassion that there was no room for judgment, and showed everyone through her actions that heroes do exist,” the fundraising page says.

Yang died of her injuries in the hospital after an altercation in Burnaby’s Broadview Park where she assisted a city employee to remove an unhoused man sleeping in a tent.

According to a report obtained by Global News, Yang was attempting to administer Naloxone for a suspected overdose in Broadview Park when she was stabbed in the chest.

Since the incident, a memorial at Broadview Park has grown, with many leaving flowers and notes in Yang’s honour.

I joined the procession this morning then went over to Broadview Park to pay my respects. Very difficult time to process everything and seeing notes like this just really hits close to home.#TakeCareOfOneAnother #RestInPeace @BurnabyRCMP @VancouverPD pic.twitter.com/cUH4rHAw4P

— Larry (@LG3472) October 20, 2022

Municipalities, politicians, and members of the public have all honoured the fallen Mountie in different ways.

Beginning tonight, City Hall and the SkyTrain guideway near Metrotown will be illuminated blue to honour fallen RCMP Const. Shaelyn Yang, who was killed in the line of duty Tuesday. The colour is taken from the Police & Peace Officers’ Memorial Ribbon. pic.twitter.com/LvL8hZpz2c

— City of Burnaby (@CityofBurnaby) October 22, 2022

On Friday, Yang’s body was driven via procession from Vancouver General Hospital to Burnaby Hospital, with uniformed first responders lining the streets in her honour along the route.

Accused killer was an experienced filmmaker

JongWon Ham, 37, has been charged with first-degree murder in connection with Yang’s death. CityNews has learned that prior to coming to B.C., Ham was a filmmaker in Toronto.

Ham won an Emmy award for his work on a TV show in 2014, according to his LinkedIn page. His profile indicates he was a freelance director, cinematographer, and editor for over 13 years after completing a three-year television program at Loyalist College in Toronto in 2009.

CityNews reached out to a colleague of Ham’s who said he was “a pleasure to work with” and had a “great demeanor,” adding they are “shocked” to hear about this incident.

Related Stories: 

• Procession held for Burnaby RCMP Const. Shaelyn Yang

• Murder charge laid in killing of Burnaby Mountie

According to B.C. court records, Ham had been charged with assault on two occasions in the past. The first time was in February 2021, and the second was in March of 2022.

Ham was supposed to appear in court for the second assault charge on Oct. 17, just one day before the incident involving Yang, records indicate.

He is set to appear in court in relation to the first-degree murder charge on Nov. 2.

With files from Sonia Aslam, Hana Mae Nassar, and Robyn Crawford.