Sunshine shopkeeper died after allegedly being bashed by a pack of children. Now a fundraiser for hero shopkeeper's funeral has hit just $880

By WAYNE FLOWER, SENIOR NEWS REPORTER, AUSTRALIA Published: 02:35, 11 August 2026 | Updated: 02:35, 11 August 2026 Thousands of Victorians may have hit the streets to protest after the death of hero shopkeeper Van Viet Truong, but few have put their hands in their pockets to help his devastated family.  Mr Truong, who was known more widely as 'Jimmy', died last Wednesday, days after attempting to prevent a robbery from a clothes shop two doors down in Sunshine, west of Melbourne, when he was allegedly bashed by a group of youngsters aged between 12 and 15.  On Sunday, drum beats and chants of 'no more' echoed outside Brimbank City Council as hundreds rallied for tougher laws against violent offenders following his death.  But on Tuesday morning, just 16 people had donated to a GoFundMe fundraiser established to cover Mr Truong's funeral costs and provide financial support to his family. Mr Truong's family has been so devastated by his loss, Victoria Police has repeatedly asked the media not to bother them.  But when multiple fundraisers emerged on Friday, Victoria Police refused to contact them so that media organisations might promote the correct fundraiser.  Daily Mail was forced to contact GoFundMe directly, which immediately launched an investigation with its 'Trust & Safety team' for review.  But the legitimate fundraiser had secured just $880 of a $35,000 target at time of publication on Tuesday.  A fundraiser for shopkeeper Van Viet Truong, 60, (pictured) has been largely ignored  The tally comes in stark contrast to other fundraisers in the wake of tragedies, which quickly amass tens of thousands of dollars in under 24-hours.  Meanwhile a petition on change.org established following the shopkeeper's death was close to hitting 30,000 signatures on Monday.  'The alleged perpetrators of this vicious crime, a group of youths, have caused irreparable harm,' the petition states. 'And yet, shockingly, some have been granted bail. This sends a dangerous message that such violent acts can be met with leniency. We cannot allow this to be the precedent in our society. Justice demands that all individuals involved are held accountable and face the full extent of the law in court.' The GoFundMe for Mr Truong called on people to donate 'no matter the size.' At time of publication, the largest donation sat at $100.   '(It) will be a tribute to a man who proved that a life lived for others is a life that matters. It will show his family that the community he loved and protected is standing with them,' the fundraiser states.  'Van represents the best of the Asian community in Australia. He did not deserve to lose his life doing the right thing. Please share this campaign with anyone who believes in the power of community and kindness. Van Viet Truong was a hero. Let's honor his sacrifice.' The sad tally of a fundraiser sat at under $1000 on Monday morning  Community members lay flowers on Sunday at the entrance to a local grocery store following the death of its owner, Van Viet Truong.  Community members rally outside the Sunshine Library on Sunday following the death of Van Viet Truong On Sunday, the crowd, dressed in white, gathered outside the Sunshine library to demand 'safe communities' and 'stronger laws'. 'Hold murderers fully accountable' and 'Adult Crimes, Adult Times' banners were spotted throughout the crowd. The rally, held just metres from the deadly alleged assault, drew in a large contingent from Sunshine’s Vietnamese community. A separate crowd of dozens of people gathered outside Mr Truong’s grocery store to pay their respects. A minute’s silence was observed 'in memory of Mr Viet, for his bravery'. Last week, traders claimed Victoria Police had all but abandoned them in the face of the young thugs lurking outside their doors and terrorising the neighbourhood. 'This place is called Sunshine, but maybe it should be Darkness,' one trader said. 'We need more security or police to help Sunshine better. Make the people not scared ... please the government, help Sunshine get more better and more police to come.' Van Viet Truong is seen on CCTV (near, white circle) in the moments before he was allegedly assaulted Parts of the alleged attack had been caught on CCTV cameras On Wednesday, the Daily Mail spent several hours along the bustling shopping street and did not observe a single police officer or marked police vehicle. Despite Sunday's rally advertised as being non-political, speakers there called on the community to take their anger about what happened to Mr Truong, and their opinions on the effectiveness of the state's bail laws, to the ballot box at the state election in November.  Australian Vietnamese Refugee National Council president, Phong Nguyen, described Mr Truong as 'one of the quiet heroes'. 'They sacrifice their lives for their fellow human beings … (and) that's what life and heroes are about. We don't know them until they are there,' he said.  He pledged that his community would do all it could to ensure safety was improved. Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.