ST. LOUIS • A Cherokee district shopkeeper who was beaten and robbed remained in critical condition Tuesday in a hospital, a relative said.

The family identified him as Huan Le, 64, who has a retail business at Cherokee Street and Ohio Avenue. He was attacked shortly before noon Monday in an alley running from Ohio near his business.

David Le, a son, said his father was conscious but had trouble speaking because of head injuries that include broken facial bones.

The son said Le had been walking for exercise because he recently had finished a first round of chemotherapy to treat cancer. Huan Le came to America in 1979 as a refugee from Vietnam.

Police described his attacker as a black male, 6-feet-2 in height, of thin build and medium complexion, wearing a tan baseball cap and black long-sleeve shirt, black pants and black shoes. Police said his shirt had what appeared to be a large “R” on the front. They released a surveillance photo of the suspect.

The attacker struck Le in the face, causing him to fall backward, and then took his wallet, police said.