Despite efforts to revive him, he died at the scene.
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A 51-year-old man has since been arrested in connection with the incident.
A nearby restaurant worker told 7NEWS.com.au the confrontation began when a man allegedly kicked over two delivery riders’ bicycles outside the restaurant.
The worker, who had reviewed the restaurant’s CCTV footage, said the two riders confronted the man.
Footage captured the confrontation between two delivery riders and a man moments before the fatal stabbing. Credit: Yicong Chen
Witness Yicong Chen, who filmed the confrontation, captured two riders wearing HungryPanda uniforms confronting a man dressed in a black jacket and jeans near two buses.
Chen told 7NEWS.com.au the man repeatedly shouted, “Stop chasing me.”
According to the restaurant worker, the stabbing was believed to have taken place behind a bus, out of view of the CCTV camera.
She said Feng and another rider then ran into the restaurant, where Feng was still trying to collect food for delivery, apparently unaware he had been seriously injured.
He began feeling unwell and sat down, before staff noticed blood and realised he had been stabbed.
Emergency services were called and CPR was performed, but he could not be saved.
Jianming Feng was seen sitting on the ground inside a restaurant after the confrontation. Credit: Supplied
Family loses its breadwinner
Feng moved to Australia from China’s Shaanxi Province about nine years ago, hoping to earn enough money to support his family back home.
He left behind his wife and two children in their 20s, and had not returned to China since arriving in Australia in about 2017.
Speaking to 7NEWS.com.au, his wife, Xu, 52, said her husband had planned to return home in another year or two, possibly when their son got married.
“We had elderly parents and young children to support. He planned to go overseas for a few years to earn some money,” she said.
Feng was also helping support his elderly father, who had suffered a stroke and was living in a nursing home.
Xu said the nursing home cost the family between 4000 and 5000 yuan ($A800–$1000) a month.
“He was the main breadwinner in our family. Now that he’s gone, we don’t know what to do,” she said.
Feng moved to Australia nine years ago to support his family back home in China. Credit: Feng’s family
Xu last spoke to her husband via video call about 1.50pm on Friday, just hours before he was killed.
Feng told her he was busy with deliveries but expected work to quieten down once the school holidays began and Chinese students returned home.
“He told me he’d send me a photo for my ID renewal in a day or two. I said it wasn’t urgent, and he said there was no need to rush,” Xu recalled.
“I never imagined those would be his last words to me.”
Xu said she frantically tried to contact Feng after hearing about the incident, struggling to believe what had happened.
The couple, who had been married for almost 30 years, video-called almost every day, and Feng would usually answer straight away.
But this time, no matter how many times she called, there was no answer.
Xu said she later came across a video circulating online showing a delivery rider sitting on the floor before gradually slumping over.
“At first, I couldn’t believe it. But when I saw the footage, I recognised his delivery bag,” Xu said, fighting back tears.
“We video-called almost every day, so I knew exactly what bag he carried. I recognised his face straight away.”
Feng had hoped to reunite with his family in China within the next year or two. Credit: Feng’s family
Xu remembered her husband as a cheerful and friendly man who loved talking and making people laugh.
His children described him as hardworking, optimistic and responsible, saying he lived modestly and saved wherever he could to support his family back home.
Feng’s devastated family is now calling for the person responsible for his death to be brought to justice, while urging HungryPanda to take responsibility and provide support.
They also called on local authorities to improve public safety and help the family travel from China to Australia as soon as possible.
“His life can’t just be taken away like this, as though it meant nothing,” Xu said.
Arrest made as investigation continues
HungryPanda confirmed Feng was a registered delivery rider with the company, saying it was “deeply saddened by the tragic incident”.
“Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with his family and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time,” a spokesperson told 7NEWS.com.au.
“We have established a dedicated response team and are actively reaching out to his family to offer the necessary assistance and support.
“We are cooperating with Victoria Police and relevant authorities in their ongoing investigation.”
Man dies after suspected stabbing, another injured in Melbourne’s CBD Credit: 7NEWS
Police said the second delivery rider, 34, also suffered a suspected stab wound and was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
A 51-year-old Footscray man was arrested on Saturday morning and remains in custody, where he is expected to be interviewed.
Police do not believe the men knew each other and are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
