Victim remembers brutal attack on VTA platform

(KRON) — A man was attacked last week on a Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) train platform, leaving him covered in blood. On Wednesday, KRON4 met the victim at the hospital where he is currently being treated.

Christian Chenoweth said the attack on him was completely unprovoked. He was riding his bike to the light rail station on May 29 and was minding his own business when he saw the suspect.

“A guy walked past me with a really intimidating look on his face, but I just let it go. I was just in my own world, just thinking about my bike ride. And then he just attacked me. I don’t know, for no reason. No words were exchanged,” Chenoweth said.

The suspect, who police say is 26-year-old Andrew Perez, knocked him to the ground and began punching and kicking him continuously for over a minute.

Chenoweth said his injuries were severe but he did not have any brain damage. He suffered fractured vertebrae and large lacerations to his head and body and has been in intensive care for three days.

Chenoweth believes the suspect had some kind of weapon with him, such as a bottle or brass knuckles.

“Obviously it was something because there was a lot of damage done. I was covered in blood. My scalp was… they had to staple it when I got to the hospital,” he said.

The suspect did not speak a single word to Chenoweth during the entire attack, he said.

Chenoweth says he works in landscaping and his hospital stay will cost him money during a lucrative season. He had recently been evicted from his apartment and was homeless. A GoFundMe campaign has been set up for his medical bills, which you can find HERE.