JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Two women are calling for action after they say they were attacked in the middle of the day by a man with a long history of violence near Jacksonville’s Southbank Riverwalk.

The incident occurred Monday afternoon as the women walked along the path near Friendship Fountain, a popular downtown spot.

According to the victims, a man wearing headphones and rapping to himself approached them, then suddenly struck one woman in the back of the neck and the other in the back of the head.

“We didn’t even see it coming,” one of the victims told First Coast News. “Never would you think that some random stranger would walk up to you and just punch you from behind.”

The women called 911 and followed the suspect at a distance until police arrived and made an arrest.

They later learned that moments before, the same man had attacked another woman nearby, leaving her with a gash on her cheek.

“He was on a mission that day,” one woman said.

Police identified the suspect as Talmadge Billingslea Jr., a homeless man with a documented history of domestic abuse, stalking and making threats, including violent and racially charged statements.

Billingslea has been arrested multiple times, but the women say he has never been convicted.

“We need to get to the root of the problem,” one woman said. “What kind of mental help can we try and get this guy to prevent this from happening again, not just putting him in jail and letting him out after six months.”

Both women are now represented by an attorney and are urging the city and state to take action before the violence escalates further. They are also encouraging the public to stay alert and take precautions while walking in the area.

As of Thursday, Billingslea remains in jail on a $19,000 bond, charged with three counts of battery and other offenses.

The State Attorney’s Office has not yet responded to requests for comment on why Billingslea has repeatedly been released despite his history.

The victims hope their story will prompt city leaders to increase security, expand mental health resources and prevent future attacks along Jacksonville’s Riverwalk.

“Is it gonna take him murdering somebody for them to finally get him the help he needs?” one of the woman said.