Chicago, Illinois – Authorities are currently offering a $5,000 reward for any information leading to the apprehension of those responsible for a vicious assault on an Iraq War veteran at a grocery store in the South Loop area. The attack occurred last week, leaving the victim, Kevin Qin, 41, with multiple injuries after being savagely beaten by a group of at least eight people at a Jewel-Osco store on Wabash Avenue and Roosevelt Road on May 21. Qin was taken to Stroger Hospital for treatment, where he received care for injuries including a concussion and damages to his elbow, wrist, and knee.
Qin, who is Chinese American, believes that the assault may have been racially motivated as one of the attackers made a racial comment during the incident. He recounted the harrowing experience, stating, “It was a vicious attack, something I never thought I would experience in my life. It was just one person to start with, but out of nowhere there were seven or eight people just kind of gang up on me. Some from the front, some from the back.”
Community leaders and Qin are urging the Chicago Police to investigate the attack as a potential hate crime. The details of the incident unfold as Qin was entering the store around 11:30 p.m. and was sucker-punched by a female shopper. The assault escalated as others joined in, relentlessly punching and kicking Qin until he briefly lost consciousness. Thankfully, a bystander intervened, allowing Qin to escape and contact the authorities.
Jewel-Osco has been cooperating with the investigation by providing surveillance footage to help identify the individuals involved in the assault. Despite this collaboration, the police are still working to determine the motive behind the attack. In response to the incident, a $5,000 reward has been announced in hopes of capturing the assailants responsible for the violent assault on the Iraq War veteran.