By Steven Henshaw
Reading Eagle
READING, Pa. — A client of a men’s homeless shelter in Reading was hospitalized for chemical burns after he was attacked over the weekend by another guest in a bathroom, police said.
The victim told police that he went into the second-floor bathroom of Hope Rescue Mission, 645 N. Sixth St., a little after midnight Saturday to cut his hair and shower.
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According to court records, he noticed 39-year-old Patrick M. Woolson pacing in the hallway when he was finished showering. Without saying a word, Woolson entered the bathroom and threw an acidic substance on the victim from a container, then attacked him with a knife.
The victim fought back and forced Woolson to the ground. He yelled for help, and two other men rushed in to help Woolson.
The victim was in so much pain that he was unable to speak to officers.
An officer saw burns to the left side of the victim’s face and left shoulder, and blood on his clothes.
He followed the ambulance to the hospital. After the victim emerged from decontamination and initial treatment, he spoke to the officer in his room.
He said he could not recall a negative interaction with Woolson.
The victim lost feeling in the area of the chemical burns.
Before the officer left the hospital, the victim was being prepared for transport to a burn unit.
The specific category of chemical used in the attack wasn’t identified in the affidavit.
Information on the victim’s medical condition was unavailable.
Woolson was charged with aggravated and simple assault and reckless endangerment. He was committed to Berks County Jail in lieu of $25,000 to await a hearing following arraignment Saturday before District Judge Ann L. Young in Reading Central Court.
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