COLUMBIA (WACH) -- Carter Strange says it was a long week in a Columbia hospital, undergoing brain and facial reconstructive surgery.
The man at the center of an attack drawing worldwide attention says the incident is a blur.
"Everything was pretty much foreign other than jogging to Five Points trying to get home that’s about all I remember," says Carter Strange.
Columbia police say eight suspects caught on Five Points surveillance video are responsible.
"I never seen or heard of them. I have no idea who they were," says Strange.
Carter and his family faced his alleged attackers for the first time Monday in family court.
The defendants said they're innocent. One attorney pointed to Carter's statements to investigators saying he was attacked by four white males....all the suspects in custody are black.
Carter says he doesn't remember making that statement.
"It was kind of weird hearing them talk about it cause, I haven't talked to the police yet really. I haven't given an actual statement that I remember at least," says Strange.
Carter says although he is healing physically he's dealing with his emotional scars.
"I've always been a little self conscious so it’s kind of hard looking at myself in the mirror now," says Strange.
Since the attack, get well messages have been pouring into his Facebook page.
He even received a card from a Columbia city councilwoman during our interview.
"It's very overwhelming. I couldn't imagine how much support I would get. I mean just complete strangers," says Strange.
He says after getting out of the hospital he went back to the scene along Edisto Avenue in Five Points where a passerby found him after the attack.
"I felt like it was something I needed to do just to get it out,” says Strange.
Carter has this message for his attackers:
"I hope that they learn from this has much as I have. I'm still who I am on the inside but it does make me think a lot and I do a lot more self reflection because of it."
As a result of his attack city leaders have put an emergency curfew in place for teens in the Five Points area. Click here for the full story.
An account has been set up to help the family cover medical costs. Click here to find out how to donate if you're interested.
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