Who are the victims? Mother identifies son killed in Ore. stabbing in heart-wrenching post

PORTLAND, Ore. (KATU) - The mother of a 23-year-old man named Taliesin Myrddin identified him on Facebook Saturday morning as one of two people killed in a stabbing on a MAX train in Portland Friday.

"Taliesin Myrddin Namkai Meche, My dear baby boy passed on yesterday while protecting two young Muslim girls from a racist man on the train in Portland," Asha Deliverance wrote on Facebook. "He was a hero and will remain a hero on the other side of the veil. Shining bright star I love you forever."

Myrddin went to Ashland High School and studied at Reed College in Portland.

Reed released a statement Saturday in memory of Myrddin, calling him a "very caring person, smart, hardworking, and with such a bright future.”

KATU News spoke with Myrddin's aunt Saturday morning. In tears, she released the following statement to us:

“Taliesin gave his life to protect two teenage girls who were being abused. I was on the phone when it happened and I heard the hate speech from a white supremacist. I told him to get off the phone with me and videotape what was happening so he could send it to police. I didn’t mean for him to try to be a hero and get himself killed but he was trying to protect those two teenage girls. Taliesin was huge, just look at him, his soul didn’t even fit in his body, so much love. Stop the hate, that is the message, stop the hate. He had his whole life in front of him.”

Myrddin's family released a statement about him later Saturday afternoon:

"Taliesin Myrddin lived a joyous and full life. His enthusiasm was infectious. We lost him in a senseless act that brought close to home the insidious rift of prejudice and intolerance that is too familiar, too common. He was resolute in his conduct [and] respect of all people. 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."

Myrddin and another man police have identified as 53-year-old Ricky John Best of Happy Valley were killed Friday afternoon when police say a man named Jeremy Joseph Christian slashed their throats on a MAX train.

Myrddin and Best had come to the defense of two young women allegedly being harassed by Christian as the train headed toward the Hollywood Transit Station, police say.

Best was an employee of the City of Portland Bureau of Developments Services and a 23-year Army veteran. He was also a father to three teenage boys and a 12-year-old girl.

A third surviving victim has been identified as 21-year-old Micah David-Cole Fletcher of Southeast Portland. He's in the hospital being treated for serious injuries.

Christian, of North Portland, is facing two counts of aggravated murder, attempted murder, two counts of intimidation, and felon in possession of a restricted weapon.

Mayor Ted Wheeler released a statement Saturday morning calling the two men killed "heroes" and said their actions "should serve as an example and inspiration to us all."