The footage shows a girl in purple walking along the sidewalk, while a woman approaches from the opposite direction. As they near each other, the woman suddenly swipes at the girl, initiating a struggle that goes out of the camera’s frame.
John Arias, an off-duty armed security guard, witnessed the attack and immediately intervened. Arriving at the scene, Arias noticed the woman wielding a knife. Despite the danger, he fearlessly confronted her, managing to grab hold of her. However, during the struggle, he sustained a slash across his face. Undeterred, he persevered, restraining the assailant until assistance arrived.
According to Arias, the homeless woman spewed racial slurs during the assault, targeting Hispanic individuals in particular. This unprovoked act of violence was fueled by hatred. Arias acknowledged that his eyeglasses played a vital role in protecting his eyes when the attacker slashed his face.
When the Los Angeles Police Department officers arrived, they found Arias on top of the suspect, effectively restraining her. Arias’s friend promptly took him to the hospital for stitches to treat his injuries. Meanwhile, the police arrested the homeless woman on charges of assault with a deadly weapon.
This incident highlights the selfless actions of a brave bystander who risked his own safety to protect an innocent girl. Arias’s intervention serves as a testament to the importance of standing up against hate and violence in our communities.
