KSTP's Matt Belanger thanks viewers for support after light rail assault

KSTP anchor Matt Belanger thanked those who sent him well wishes as he recovers from an assault that occurred Tuesday. 

Belanger said he has been receiving an outpouring of support from throughout Minnesota and the country. 

"It's very comforting to me to hear all of that and to be reminded of the people who are thinking of me as I work through what happened and focus on my recovery and my healing," Belanger said in a video posted to Facebook. 

Belanger said the injury he sustained to his eye caused some internal bleeding and requires recovery. 

"It's hard being, honestly, to be at home sidelined right now at a time when our viewers, I feel, need journalists on TV perhaps now more than ever," he said. 

He added that he is expected to make a full recovery.

KSTP Anchor Matt Belanger assaulted on light rail platform, at home recovering

Authorities said a suspect threw a rock or piece of concrete at Matt's head and struck him in the eye. The incident happened Tuesday on the Nicollet Mall light rail platform shortly before 9 a.m. and was caught on the station's video cameras.

The assailant, who fled from the scene, was later picked up and taken into custody by Minneapolis police.