CHICAGO — Jian Cheng Lin was in the elevator of his apartment building when another man in the elevator demanded his iPhone. When Lin refused to give it up, the man repeatedly punched him in the face and knocked out three of his teeth, Lin's son said.
The 58-year-old restaurant worker had just moved to Chicago from Boston a year ago and lives in Chinatown. About 9:45 p.m. June 15, he was coming home from work when his attacker followed him inside his apartment building and slipped inside the elevator with him and another woman. Within a minute, Lin was attacked until the elevator doors opened and the man ran off, his son Leo Lin said.
The Chicago Police Department confirmed the attack.
Lin now faces more than $5,000 in hospital bills with no insurance and a loss of income due to time taken off work for recovery.
Jian Cheng was punched in his face several times and lost three of his teeth. [Leo H. Lin]
A GoFundMe campaign has been set up to help cover Lin's medical costs.
"Please help Mr. Lin and show him that there are caring people in this world," the GoFundMe post reads. "One where a random act of senseless violence cannot overcome the good in our community. A community that stands together will thrive together."
The campaign had raised $1,165 as of Monday afternoon. To make a donation, visit the GoFundMe page.
