While the mystery still involves the shooting death at the weekend of Kevin Jiang, a 26-year-old graduate student at Yale University, his fiancee spoke on Tuesday, describing his deep Christian faith and dedicated volunteer work at a church in New Haven, saying he “had no idea” why someone might have targeted him.
“All I want to say is that I just want Jesus to be glorified and that Kevin was really an incendiary follower of Jesus and, for me, this is what his life represents,” Zion Perry said in a telephone interview with Fox News. “A life lived by following God, and I hope that many people will know that he really followed the Lord and that his life will inspire many to follow Jesus and come closer to the Father.
THE CONNECTICUT POLICE SAY THAT THE SLAIN YALE GRADUATION STUDENT MAY HAVE BEEN A TARGET; CONTINUE SEARCHING FOR ALLEGED KILLER
“Because I know that Kevin is with his real Father now in heaven,” she continued. “This is all I really want people to know that Jesus would be glorified through his death – although I know it seems impossible – I know that Jesus and God can do anything.”
Jiang proposed to Perry on January 30 – a year after the first meeting. He was killed a week later. His 27th birthday would have been this week.
New Haven police said officers responded at 8:30 pm on Saturday in the Lawrence Street area, between Nicoll and Nash streets, after receiving several calls to 911 about gunfire. EMS tried to save lives, but Jiang was pronounced dead at the scene.
So far, no suspects have been publicly announced or taken into custody, and authorities have released limited details on the reason.
At a news conference on Monday, New Haven police chief Otoniel Reyes said Jiang may have been the target and that his death was not random.
Kevin Jiang was a graduate student at the Yale Environmental School, as a member of the 2022 class
(Yale University Police Department)
“We have developed information that suggests that this incident may not have been a random act and that it was in fact the target,” said Reyes. “That said, it is too early in the investigation to establish any reason.”
Jiang was operating a vehicle before the shooting, Reyes confirmed, adding that investigators “are exploring all possibilities, including whether an accident precipitated the incident” or whether the shooting was a case of traffic violence. Recognizing speculation surrounding the incident, Reyes said investigators are exploring “very specific clues” but are not ruling out anything at the moment.
Perry told Fox News that she knew nothing about why someone was targeting her fiance.
“I’m trying to understand that too. I really have no idea and, unfortunately, I have no information to share about it,” she said.
A police spokesman told Fox News on Tuesday that the most up-to-date information was released at the press conference and any and all future updates will be posted on the department’s Facebook page.
“Providing more details could compromise the investigation,” said the spokesman.
Jiang was a graduate student at the Yale Environment School as a member of the 2022 class. He and his mother, who moved from Seattle in 2019 to live with her son while he was a graduate student, both were active volunteers at Trinity Baptist Church on State Street.
Jiang served in the U.S. Army National Guard, distributed food and cooked for a homeless shelter, mentored youth and helped manufacturers “comply with local and federal environmental laws,” said Yale University President Peter Salovey, at a news conference on Monday, alongside Reyes and others. He said Jiang was conducting research on mercury levels in fish in the Quinnipiac River watershed.
“He used his education to make a positive difference in the world,” said Salovey.
Perry explained that she and Jiang met at a church retreat: “It turns out that we both went to and God allowed us to meet there and from there, we formed a really deep friendship.” She said Jiang grew up in both Chicago and Seattle, where he graduated from Washington University before moving to New Haven to graduate from Yale University.
In a January 30 Facebook post announcing the engagement, Jiang wrote: “She said ‘YES!’ Dear Zion – you really made a big impact on my life! Since I met you, God has worked in my heart and changed my heart for the better, helping me to be more generous and kind to others. “
“You are the most kind, beautiful, merciful, patient and faithful woman I have ever met,” he continued, sharing photos and videos of him kneeling in front of a waterfall of snow. “I love you more than words can say. I want to take care of you and serve you, and build the kingdom of God with you. Thank you for a wonderful happy one year anniversary, and now engaged !!!!! ! !! “
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPLICATION
Perry said details about his funeral and any memorial fund are still being finalized.
Trinity Baptist Pastor Greg Hendrickson told the New Haven Independent that he had agreed earlier in the week to make Jiang’s wedding official, but “now, we will be making his funeral official”.