One of the victims of a man accused in two vicious attacks with a pole and a sword in Lauderhill, Florida, is speaking out for the first time about his injuries.
Douglas Brochet is grateful for his life after he was attacked out of nowhere Sunday at a Shell station, in an incident caught on surveillance video.
"It was violent blows, don't forget. And I'm 81 years of age," he said Tuesday. "Suddenly he came towards me and his hand was behind his back. I didn't know he had anything in his hand and he just struck me over the head."
Brochet's face is still black and blue and he has 18 stitches on his face. Police said he was attacked with a shelving pole by 22-year-old Jovaughn Walker, who is facing charges including attempted murder, aggravated battery and aggravated assault. He remained behind bars without bond Tuesday and is expected to appear in court Wednesday after a mental evaluation.
Video showed Brochet's wife trying to step in to stop the attack in the gas station.
"When you see your husband being attacked that's the only thing you think about doing," Fern Brochet told NBC 6 Tuesday. "We're not young anymore, so it's harder. Harder to take."
"She's a brave woman or probably she didn't know any better," her husband said.
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The alleged attack at the gas station wasn't the end of Walker's alleged spree, police said. Walker then moved on to the Swap Shop, where surveillance video showed him allegedly grab a sword from a display booth and start swinging it at another victim. That victim was also injured but was expected to be okay.
Brochet said he forgives Walker and just wants him to get help.
"I want to see him get better," he said.
