Man attacked at Broadway Light Rail Station, suffers ruptured eardrum, broken rib

DENVER -- A Denver man who was attacked while trying to purchase a light rail ticket says he fought back and was able to get away.

The victim, who requested that his name not be used, said he was walking toward a ticket kiosk on March 11, when two men approached. One of them said something.

"I'm like what? And he said, 'what did you say bro?' And then I got hit," the victim said. "And then I got hit again and then I was getting hit from both sides."

The victim told Denver7 that he fell to the ground and suffered a fractured rib.

"Somehow I swung my arm out and hit one of them," he said, "I hurt him and opened up (some space) and was able to run across the parking lot and escape."

He believes the attackers were trying to rob him, but they didn't get any money.

"Funny part is," the victim said, "after I made it home, there's my $2.60 fare still in my pocket."

"Right now, we're looking at it as an aggravated assault," said Denver Police Department spokeswoman Christine Downs. "There was a physical altercation."

Police released pictures of the two suspects.

"They're not very clear," Downs said, "but we're hoping that somebody may recognize the hat that one of them is wearing and think, 'hey, that reminds me of (so and so.)"

The victim told Denver7 that he is still experiencing pain from the assault.

"I went to the doctor the next day," he said. "They were like, 'you have a ruptured ear drum."

He said he has constant ringing in his head and may have to have surgery.

When asked if he'll shy away from using light rail in the future, he said, "probably not."

"I've been reading a lot about the train stations," he said. "There was a murder at the Sheridan Station and a robbery at another... I'll still go, but will be more careful."

Other riders say the same thing.

"I use light rail every day," Joseph Sanchez said. "I worry some because the area I travel in isn't safe."

When asked how she keeps safe, H. Zheng said, "Maybe look around and keep distance from other people."

Downs said Police recommend that you put your cell phone down while waiting for trains and buses.

"Keep your head up," she said. "If you see something suspicious, take extra precaution. You can call police, or move to the other side of the street, but always keep your head up."