US Marines Iraq War veteran attacked by large group at South Loop Jewel Osco on the corner of Wabash and Roosevelt

CHICAGO (WLS) — An Iraq War veteran said he was attacked for no apparent reason at a Jewel Osco grocery store in the South Loop.

Kevin Qin said the attack left him with headaches and nausea, as well as injuries to his wrist, elbow and knee, and a feeling of disbelief.

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“I was just about to come into the store, minding my own business, and suddenly all hell broke loose,” he said.

The 41-year-old said he was kicked and punched by a large group of people in the grocery store on the corner of Wabash and Roosevelt until he briefly lost consciousness.

“It was a brutal attack, something I never thought I would experience in my life,” Qin said.

Chicago police said the attack occurred around 11:30 p.m. Tuesday night. Qin said as he entered the store, he had to maneuver past a customer who was just coming out with a shopping cart, and for some reason the woman struck him from behind.

“At first it was just one person, but out of nowhere seven or eight people came and ganged up on me. Some from the front, some from the back,” he said.

Qin said he fell during the beating and hit his head.

The attack was interrupted by a passerby, allowing Qin to run and call the police. He was taken to Stroger Hospital.

Qin, who said he served with the U.S. Marines in Iraq, said he was lucky he was not more seriously injured.

“I did what I had to do to protect myself, but not everyone has the same training,” he said.

“He survived the Iraq War but was almost killed here in his home in Chicago,” said community activist Dr. Kim Tee.