Mike Pennington of Mandeville has stepped forward as the man struck in that local shopping center parking lot attack.
Pennington, of Mandeville, ended up knocked out in the parking lot of the Pontchartrain Square Shopping Center Monday and says he does not clearly remember the end of the incident.
Cell phone video that was quickly shared to social media showed Pennington getting punched in the head by a man police identify as Richard Suarez during a dispute.
It started when Pennington says he heard a man yelling at and threatening people, mostly women. That’s when Pennington decided to speak up and got knocked out.
After four hours in the hospital, Pennington says he was sent home with injured ribs, a possible concussion, and bruises on his face.
Suarez was arrested Monday and faces multiple charges. He posted a $250,000 bond and was released Tuesday.
Doctors told Pennington to stay home at least a week for his body to heal.
