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MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) - A civil rights activist who stood beside the late U.S. Rep. John Lewis says she was robbed and beaten during a home invasion nearly a month ago, and no arrests have been made.

Dr. Ellena Gooch-Reid, 87, is in and out of the hospital as she recovers from the attack.

 I have nine wounds in my head, in my arms, and some in my chest,  Gooch-Reid said.

Those wounds are a constant reminder of the early morning robbery-turned-brutal beating.

 I am reliving the experience through nightmares, and that's hard,  Gooch-Reid said.

According to a police report, doctors said her bruises were consistent with a beating.

(Action News 5)

Gooch-Reid told police she remembers a man entering her home, robbing her and hitting her in the head with his fist and open hand. She was found hours later lying in her blood.

 [I can't believe] that someone would do an elderly person... well, anyone, let me not say  elderly'... would do anyone like that, and leave them for dead,  said Joyce Cotton, a friend of Gooch-Reid.

Gooch-Reid said she was helping someone shortly before the attack.

 I had helped someone, a young person, to get some clothes for school, which is one of the things that I do. And I believe he was the one who came into my house and robbed me,  Gooch-Reid said.

Ripley Police Chief Mitchell Turner said investigators have identified a couple of people of interest but did not share additional details about the investigation.

He also said he shared information with the district attorney, but the DA says more information is needed to press charges.

Community members are calling for more action.

 We're going to stay on it every day. We want answers. We don't need to be told that this is a  police investigation'...  I can't tell you this, I can't tell you that.' You don't have to tell us; you can show us,  Cotton said.

Joyce Cotton, a friend of Dr. Ellena Gooch-Reid (Action News 5)

Community members said they plan to raise the investigation at an upcoming city council meeting.

Gooch-Reid wants people to know the importa

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