A Yale graduate student killed in New Haven Feb. 6 was laid to rest Tuesday at the State Veterans Cemetery in Middletown.
“It was somber,” said Capt. David Pytlik, public affairs officer for the Connecticut National Guard. “It was very difficult to have to say goodbye.”
Kevin Jiang, 26, was shot to death Feb. 6 on Lawrence Street in the city’s East Rock neighborhood.
Qinxuan Pan, the person of interest in Jiang’s killing, remained at large Tuesday. The search for Pan, 29, had been focused on the area in Georgia in which he last was seen, according to the the U.S. Marshals Service.
U.S. Marshal Matthew Duffy said Tuesday the department is “still concentrating on Georgia.” Duffy said the reward offered in the case was increased to $10,000.
He said the concentration of the search in Georgia is “based on what family members told us and that’s where the investigation has taken us.”
“We’re in for the long haul; we’re all used to tough cases it’s nothing new,” he said
Pytlik said Jiang joined the Washington Army National Guard in 2012 and was commissioned as an officer in February 2020. He transferred to the Connecticut Army National Guard, Pytlik said, and was part of the 118th Multifunctional Medical Battalion.
“He was so young, so much possibility ahead of him,” Pytlik said. “He seemed like a really great guy, really committed to helping others.”
Pytlik said Jiang’s parents, Linda Liu and Mingchen Jiang, as well as his fiancee, Zion Perry, were given folded American flags at the cemetery. The ceremony included a “full course of honors,” he said.
Pytlik said it was very important to honor Jiang and his loved ones. Pytlik noted that in addition to his military service, Jiang was active in his church and other volunteer work.
“Even in difficult times like this it in important to show our respect … for all those he left behind,” he said. “It was honor to support them in their time of need.”
“Please take a moment to remember 2nd Lt. Jiang and keep his family, friends, and those affected by his death in your thoughts,” the Connecticut National Guard said in a tweet Tuesday.
Jiang’s funeral was held Saturday at Trinity Baptist Church in New Haven. During it, his parents described their son’s warmth, kindness, energy and faith.
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