Chicago, Illinois – Authorities are offering a $5,000 reward for information that could lead to the arrest of those responsible for a brutal attack on an Iraq War veteran at a grocery store in Chicago’s South Loop. Kevin Qin, 41, was severely injured after being assaulted by a group of at least eight individuals at a Jewel-Osco store on May 21.
The victim, Qin, who is Chinese American, endured multiple injuries during the attack, prompting community leaders and Qin himself to urge the Chicago police to investigate the incident as a potential hate crime. The assault reportedly began when Qin tried to enter the store and was unexpectedly punched by a female shopper, setting off a chain of punches and kicks from others that resulted in Qin losing consciousness briefly.
Qin described the attack as a vicious and unexpected assault that involved several individuals ganging up on him from different directions. A bystander eventually intervened, allowing Qin to escape and call the police for help. He was then taken to Stroger Hospital for treatment of various injuries, including a concussion and damage to his elbow, wrist, and knee.
The war veteran recalled hearing a racial comment made by one of the attackers during the assault, leading him to believe that the incident may have been motivated by racial bias. Despite the cooperation of Jewel-Osco in providing surveillance footage, the police are still working to determine the motive behind the attack.
In light of the racially charged nature of the assault, Qin and community leaders have urged authorities to conduct a thorough investigation and treat the incident as a hate crime. A reward of $5,000 has been announced to facilitate the capture of those responsible for the attack, as the victim continues to recover from the physical and emotional trauma inflicted upon him.