JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The 40-year-old manager of a Riverside bicycle shop who was attacked Wednesday morning might have to undergo surgery after receiving several stitches on her face, her father told News4Jax on Friday.
But Randolph Gould said the emotional injuries to his daughter, Alice Gould, will last a lifetime.
"Of course I am upset. It makes you feel completely helpless," Randolph Gould said.
Patrick Christopher Mack, 15, was arrested Thursday on charges of aggravated battery and grand theft of a bicycle.
Mack rode up on a bicycle about 10 a.m. Wednesday to City Cycle on Park Street and asked the store manager for help with a flat tire, according to the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office.
She helped the teen but told police that "he was acting suspicious" and "she walked back behind the counter, and armed herself with pepper spray, but eventually set it down," the incident report said.
Moments later, police said, Mack sprayed the woman with the pepper spray and tried to steal a bicycle. Alice Gould stopped him from leaving with the bike but before he ran off, Mack "then struck her on the forehead with a chair," the arrest report said.
"It will shock anyone, but especially, as a father, when you see such a kind and loving person that gives to society and treats everyone with great respect, to be attacked like that, it enrages you," Randolph Gould said.
Investigators said they also reviewed City Cycle's surveillance video and noticed that the attacker was wearing the same clothing that students wear at Grand Park Education Center.
The next day, investigators went to Grand Park Education Center and the school board officer told them that the person in the surveillance image matched the description of Mack, a student at the school.
The arrest report also noted that Mack was found Wednesday on Moncrief Road and was taken to school, where he arrived at 11:15 a.m., according to the roll-call system.
"This is an individual who chose to do that. I have no compassion or sorrow for him," Randolph Gould said.
People who know the teenager said he's been in trouble before.
"The way he is dangerous. Yeah. Honestly," said a person who didn't want to be identified.
Mack's mother said her son was arrested last year for having a gun at Northwestern Middle School. She told News4Jax that she didn't want to talk about what happened, but said she's going to do what she can to make sure her son stays out of trouble in the future.
City Cycle is open for business and Alice Gould continues to recover after the attack.