Community Rallies Around Severely Beaten Shop Owner
MIAMI (CBSMiami.com) – Residents and business owners in Little Havana were making their voices heard Tuesday evening after the robbery and brutal assault of Yui Kui Cen in his corner store.
"Everybody likes him around here," said neighbor Greg Castillo. "I've been here 37 years. I have never seen nothing like this in the neighborhood."
Chen was attacked with a small-sledgehammer and hit so many times he fell unconscious to the floor.
The entire assault was caught on surveillance video and showed the attacker finishing off the attack and grabbing two cartons of cigarettes and walking out of the store.
"They don't deserve that man. We in the hood trying to see who it was," said barber Junior Cruz. "It can happen to anyone here; because the man who did it, he's in the wind right now. Se we are scared. We are all scared."
Chen is unconscious at Jackson Memorial Hospital in critical condition. The prognosis on Chen hasn't been promising to this point.
"Doctors are working around the clock," said Miami Police Sgt. Freddie Cruz. "They are doing everything they can. He's in grave condition right now and hopefully by the grace of God he'll make it through."
For Cruz, the crime hits a personal note. He was born and raised on the streets of Little Havana and said police are desperate for the community's help.
"This victim is not only a dedicate father; he's a husband and business owner of the community and many people here want to take this animal off the street," Sgt. Cruz said.
So far, no one has stepped forward with any information on the man who beat Chen nearly to death. The criminal remains a mystery to police, as are his motives.
"Something mental, the guy must not have something right in his head," said Castillo.
Miami Police urged anyone with information on the crime to call Miami-Dade Crimestoppers at 305-471-TIPS (8477).
