Man, 28, Died Protecting Kids from a Stranger, Who Was Allegedly Harassing Them on a Train Platform, in 'Shocking' Incident By Toria Sheffield

A 28-year-old man was fatally stabbed on a subway platform in San Francisco while trying to protect fellow commuters, including children.

Officers from the San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) responded to a report of a suspected stabbing at Ocean Ave. and Lee Ave. at approximately 4:12 p.m. local time on July 26, according to a police statement shared on July 28.

Upon arriving at the scene, officers located a man — who was later identified as Colden Kimber, 28 — with an apparent stab wound. The man was rushed to a local hospital, where he ultimately died, per the SFPD statement. 

The SFPD said they detained a person, who matched the suspect’s description, a short distance from the stabbing incident. The suspect, identified as 29-year-old Sean Collins, was transported to the San Francisco County Jail, where he was booked for homicide, police said.

Kimber, who was originally from upstate New York, was waiting for a train with his girlfriend at the Muni stop when Collins allegedly began yelling at people on the platform — including women and children — according to KTVU, ABC 7 and The San Francisco Standard. 

Kimber protectively stepped between Collins and the other commuters, at which point Collins allegedly stabbed Kimber in the neck, according to police, per KTVU.

William Fazio, Collins’ defense attorney, said he met his client for the first time on Friday, Aug. 1, KTVU reported.

“His parents are very distressed,” the attorney said while speaking about his client. “They sent their hearts out to the young man who lost his life. It’s a nonsensical act. It’s very sad. Hopefully, he can get some treatment and some help. That’s my goal in this case.”

Collins is scheduled to appear in court on Aug. 14, Superior Court of California public court records show.

PEOPLE reached out to the San Francisco District Attorney’s office for comment on Sunday, Aug. 3, but did not receive an immediate response.

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“It was so horrendous and shocking, and the last person that I would expect something like that to happen to,” Reuben Sawyer, Kimber’s friend, told ABC 7 following the tragedy.

Bradley Woehl, who owns the cycling shop where Kimber worked, said that Kimber “really lived such an exemplary life.”

“He was a very positive influence on myself and my staff,” Woehl said, adding that Kimber would be missed for “his good nature and his kind spirit.”

“There is no making sense of this and no words to convey the devastation we are feeling,” Kimber’s family wrote in a GoFundMe established to help them cover funeral expenses while “navigating a criminal homicide trial from across the country and all the unknowns of this unfamiliar process.”

“Colden unwillingly leaves behind a loving partner of seven years, his little sister who is just getting into road cycling, friends young and old, beloved cycling and hockey communities on both sides of the country, and his family, who was immensely proud of the man he had become,” his family added.

As of Aug. 3, the GoFundMe had raised $85,975 toward a goal of $90,000.