2 Teens Charged In Downtown Mpls. Assault
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Two juveniles have been charged in connection with the beating of a South St. Paul man.
Christopher Spencer, 33, says he was attacked in downtown Minneapolis near 5th Street and Hennepin Avenue Sunday night on his way home from work.
"I got juveniles that almost killed me. Juveniles," he said.
Spencer says he is lucky to be alive.
"Most of my pain's all just in my ear and part of my skull they fractured," he said.
Spencer was attacked from behind while riding his bike to the light rail platform after work.
Spencer says he does not remember much, but what he does remember is two young men walking up to him. One started talking while the other caught him from behind, hitting him with something right above his right ear.
He credits Minneapolis police for saving his life.
"Thank God they got me taken care of as fast as they did," Spencer said.
Spencer says officers used video from cameras on the light rail platform to identify the two young men responsible.
A 15-year-old and a 14-year-old both have been charged in juvenile court in connection with this crime.
Spencer says his injuries could keep him away from work for weeks.
"I got school three days a week. I was trying to change jobs. Now it's all kind of up in the air for a few weeks until I get back on my feet," he said.
Spencer has total hearing loss in his right ear, cranial bleeding, headaches and nausea.
His injuries are significant and cause for concern but he is also concerned about his attackers.
He wants them punished for what they did but more importantly he wants them to get help so they can grow up to be productive people.
"I'm not angry with them, I'm just disappointed that they just get forgotten about," Spencer said. "And then for some reason these types of things are encouraged by so many, thought of as cool."
Spencer and his fiancee Sherry have an infant and are thankful for all the support they've gotten from family and friends.
A GoFundMe account has been set up to help this young family with expenses.
