A horrifying incident unfolded at a St. Louis train stop on Memorial Day when a group of individuals launched a sustained and seemingly random attack on an Illinois man, all while his wife helplessly witnessed the brutal assault.
Deyona Kunselman described the terrifying ordeal to Hearst Illinois, recalling how her husband, Lee, was viciously beaten at the 8th and Pine stop. The couple, who reside in Glen Carbon, had been enjoying a night out with friends at an Illinois casino before boarding a MetroLink train to downtown St. Louis to indulge in some karaoke.
As the train doors opened, their evening turned into a nightmare. Lee Kunselman, his left eye badly bruised and swollen shut, recounted the harrowing assault to KMOV-TV. He explained that a group of four to five individuals attacked them, with one person shoving him forcefully and provoking the others to join in the assault.
Deyona Kunselman added that she feared for her husband’s life as the attackers repeatedly stomped on his head. The horrifying attack lasted for several minutes before the assailants finally fled the scene. Distressed and helpless, the couple and their friends called emergency services and rushed their injured husbands to the hospital. However, Deyona expressed frustration that no immediate assistance arrived at the train station.
Lee suffered a concussion and required 12 stitches to reattach his eyelid. His recovery has been challenging, as he still cannot see out of his left eye. Deyona shared her disappointment with the response time, recounting how an Uber arrived before an ambulance.
According to Deyona, St. Louis police have identified four suspects and a MetroLink officer has been in contact with her since the incident. Security camera footage of the attack has been discovered by authorities. The attackers, described as tall, thin, African-American males in their 20s, targeted the couple seemingly without any provocation or reason. Lee mentioned that he does not recall any specific interaction that might have triggered the assault.
The traumatizing experience has left the couple reluctant to use the MetroLink train system unless there is enhanced security onboard. They believe the presence of uniformed personnel could deter such acts of violence. For now, they are focused on recovering from the traumatic event and finding a sense of security before considering public transportation again.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the need for improved safety measures and heightened vigilance to protect innocent individuals from such unprovoked attacks.
