Hamilton veteran hospitalized after alleged assault during cadet poppy drive

Captain Kenneth Kunkel, a veteran of the Canadian Armed Forces and commander of the 826 Gryphon Squadron of the Royal Canadian Air Cadets, was injured while supervising cadets distributing poppies at Hamilton’s Centre Mall on Sunday. According to his son, Christopher Kunkel, the incident began when two youths blew an air horn near the cadets. Kunkel pursued the youths into a nearby restaurant, where a woman identified as Estela Quintanilla allegedly tripped him, causing a spinal injury that left him unable to walk.

"My father went to the scene to de-escalate and ensure the police could apprehend the duo, but Estela Quintanilla (allegedly) intervened and attacked him – impacting his spine, which caused his legs to buckle and immediately lose function," Christopher Kunkel told the Toronto Sun.

The boy and Quintanilla fled the scene but were later arrested. Kunkel received same-day spinal surgery and remains in a Hamilton hospital undergoing rehabilitation. His son said the injury is severe and that his father may not regain the ability to walk in the near term.

"My father received same-day spinal surgery and is undergoing rehabilitation to restore mobility, but the damage is severe, and he cannot walk for the foreseeable future," Christopher Kunkel said.

Kunkel has served the cadet program for nearly two decades, mentoring many youths who have pursued careers in the military and law enforcement. The family has reported a supportive response from the community and has set up a GoFundMe campaign that has raised a majority of its target amount.

"I want to thank all of the detectives and police personnel who responded to my father’s assault and wish all Veterans and current Service Members a memorable and peaceful Remembrance Day," Christopher Kunkel added.