Taliesin Myrddin Namkai-Meche, 23, and Rick Best, 53, were killed for intervening during a racist attack on a commuter train

This article is more than 3 years old

This article is more than 3 years old

The families, friends and colleagues of two men murdered while trying to stop a racist attack on two young Muslim girls on a train in Portland have paid tribute to them as heroes.

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Taliesin Myrddin Namkai-Meche, 23, and Rick Best, 53, were fatally stabbed after intervening when suspected white supremacist began yelling “hate speech”, police said

A third man, Micah David-Cole Fletcher, 21, was treated for injuries that police said were not expected to be life-threatening. Jeremy Joseph Christian, 35, was being held in the Multnomah county jail on suspicion of aggravated murder, attempted murder, intimidation and being a felon in possession of a weapon. He was arrested a short time after the attack on Friday.

Asha Deliverance, the mother of Namkai-Meche, confirmed his death in a post on Facebook, in which she wrote that her “dear baby boy passed on yesterday while protecting two young Muslim girls from a racist man on the train”.

“Shining bright star I love you forever.”

In a separate statement his family said he “lived a joyous and full life”.

“In his final act of bravery he held true to what he believed is the way forward. He will live in our hearts forever as the just, brave, loving, hilarious and beautiful soul he was. We ask that in honor of his memory, we use this tragedy as an opportunity for reflection and change. We choose love. Safe journey Taliesin. We love you.”

Reed College in Portland, where Namkai-Meche studied an economics degree, also posted a tribute to him on its Facebook page. In the post, Professor Kambiz Ghanea-Bassiri said he was an extraordinary person.

“I still remember where he sat in conference and the types of probing, intelligent questions I could anticipate him asking. He was thoughtful, humble, smart, inquisitive, and compassionate. He was a wonderful human being. As good as they come. And now he is a hero to me.”

Rick Best, a father of four and army veteran, was remembered by colleagues who said “it’s just like Rick to step in and help somebody out”. Speaking to the Orgeonian, his supervisor at the Bureau of Development Services, Kareen Perkins, said “he was always the first person you would go to for help”.

City commissioner Chloe Eudaly, who until recently oversaw the bureau, released a statement, paying tribute to his bravery.

“He stood up for two young women and others he didn’t even know — all because he wanted to help,” she said.

Portland mayor Ted Wheeler said both men “died heroes as a result of a horrific act of racist violence”.

Tributes were posted to them on Twitter.

Alexander Reid Ross (@areidross) RIP Taliesin Myrddin Namkai Meche and Ricky John Best—heroes—the world will remember your courage and bravery. You have not died in vain.

Dan Aviv (@dmendelsohnaviv) Remember the helpers.



Ricky John Best, 53.

Taliesin Myrddin Namkai-Meche, 23.



Zikhronam L'vracha

May their memories be blessed



#Portland

A memorial to the men was set up where the stabbing took place. At the memorial eight-year-old Coco Douglas left a sign and some rocks she had painted with rainbow colours.

Her stepmother, Angel Sauls, said the attack had been particularly hard on their family because Sauls is black and Coco and her father are white.

“I had hoped that it was Portland, Maine, and not Portland, Oregon,” Sauls said, after choking back tears.

“I’m scared that this is going to make people afraid to stand up for other people … I’m just really sorry that their acts of kindness were repaid in such a horrible way.”

With Associated Press