Democrat Rep. Tom Brower from Hawaii is recovering from injuries after being assaulted at a Honolulu homeless camp.

Late Monday afternoon Brower, who represents Waikiki and Ala Moana, was walking in Kakaako after he received an email regarding the safety and health in the area, according to The Washington Post.

“During my walk, I took two pictures of two different streets and put my camera away,” Brower said. “Within a few seconds, a guy on a skateboard deliberately ran into me, and he punched me several times in the chest.”

Brower said that he attempted to defend himself and back away from the attack, but the assailant continued to attack him.

Brower suffered a blow to the head leaving a gash near his right eye as well as several bruised ribs and an injured hand with which he attempted to break his fall with.

“At this point, I took my camera to videotape and document what was happening, a few seconds of video at most,” Brower said. “Soon after, I was knocked down and punched by someone else, a second person who I didn’t see. Throughout the ordeal, I never acted aggressively. I never tried to hit anyone back.”

Brower’s case has been turned over to the attorney general’s office for further investigation. Brower stated that he specifically tried to stand away from the assailant to not provoke further injury or continue violence.

The lawmaker said that he regularly walks the path he was on during the attack, as it was part of his old district. He always remains professional, he said, during his walks of the area to make sure only to photograph the poor conditions of the area, such as debris and tents, but never to photograph the people in order to maintain a respect of their privacy.