As Serim Han, the wife of Ki-Suck Han, read a statement in Korean she cried and shielded her face from the media.
Han was killed by a Q train after being shoved off of the platform at a Times Square subway stop after he got into a verbal altercation with a deranged man who was yelling at and harassing straphangers on Monday, Dec. 3.
Daughter Ashley Han, 20, said that her father was someone who helped members of the community and would not turn his back if needed. She said she is relying on her family, friends and church to help her get through her father's death.
“I really wish I had a chance to tell him how much I loved him,” she said.
Reverend Won Tae Cho of Faith Presbyterian Church said that in the same way that Han helped members of the church, they would in turn help his family now. Cho said the church has set up a fund that will cover medical, funeral, school and living expenses for the family.
Which is important, because Han was responsible for providing for the family due to his wife's disability and his daughter's focus on college.
Police eventually arrested 30-year-old homeless man Naeem Davis and charged him with Han's murder.
“The family is obviously relieved that the suspect has been apprehended, and they would like to see full justice served,” said Comptroller John Liu, who accompanied the family last week. “Right now their focus is still on grieving.”
Han immigrated to the United States from Korea 25 years ago and his family said he was always chasing the American dream. His priority was to find a way to get his daughter through college, and Ashley said her father was very focused on her schooling.
When the family was asked if they were concerned that no one tried to help Han, Ashley said, “the though of someone helping him up in a matter of seconds would have been great, but what happened has happened.”
Photo of Ki-Suk Han.