JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Police said a teen runner was attacked in San Marco Tuesday night.

Officers said one person grabbed a cross-country runner from Bishop Kenny High School, while another person slugged him.

Douglas Fox said he took action when he saw the 17-year-old student getting beat up right outside his home.

"I saw, my view was obstructed through the telephone pole and some bushes. I just saw a little bit of commotion and started to go down there and saw three kids running off," Fox said. "The kid came running up and said three guys were beating on his friend. Walked down there, the kids ran off, and the one kid came up. He was covered in blood, had his eyebrow split. Sprayed him off with the hose and gave him some paper towels."

There is still blood on the pavement where it happened, evidence of a violent beating.

According to police, the teen was running with part of his cross country team on Landon Avenue in San Marco when four men in a silver Impala drove by and kept saying, "What's up?"

Police said one of the men then jumped out of the car and started punching the student.

Officers said the three other suspects surrounded the runner and hit him.

Police said another runner got involved to help the victim, and that's when Fox started yelling.

"I just hope that somebody would help me if I needed it," Fox said. "That's what it boils down to."

The teen's mother said her son has recovered and is doing OK.

The school said both cross country coaches for the men's and women's teams told them about their safety rules. They also said they changed the route in San Marco where they run.