Arrest Made in Concert Attack
A suspect was arrested in connection with an attack on a woman at a Rüfüs du Sol concert at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, California. The incident, which was captured on video by another concertgoer, went viral and sparked nationwide attention after the victim asked for the public’s help in identifying the perpetrator.
Suspect Identified
The 23-year-old suspect, Julio Cesar Lopez Zavala, was arrested on Thursday by Pasadena Police Department personnel in Hawthorne, California. Formal charges against Zavala are pending, according to Lisa Derderian, Chief Communications Officer for Pasadena. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office is reviewing the case.
Multiple Victims
Although the story of one woman’s attack led to local and national interest in the incident, police say she was not the only victim. "The investigation revealed that three victims were attacked by a male suspect who was reported to be intoxicated after drinking," according to a police statement. "With the help of video footage and numerous tips from the public, detectives from the Pasadena Police Department were able to identify the suspect."
Victim Speaks Out
The alleged victim, who initially posted about the incident on social media, later confirmed that Zavala was identified as her attacker. Internet users quickly began searching for more information about the man, who was found to have worked as a nurse. His Facebook profile was scrubbed clean before his arrest on Thursday.
The Attack
The attack occurred on the night of the concert, August 16, around 8:30 p.m. According to a police spokesperson, several officers responded to the incident, and the female victim was transported to a hospital. The video of the attack sparked outrage, appearing to show a man standing in a crowd and brutally punching a woman, even as another woman tried to intervene by grabbing his pants from behind.
Victim’s Account
The woman who said she was the one attacked in the video stated that she was passed out during the incident. "We were at the concert to see our favorite artist, but the night became traumatic," she wrote in a message shared by a popular EDM festival account. "When we first got to our seats, a drink was accidentally spilled and slightly splashed the man in front of us. We immediately apologized, but he screamed that it was intentional and ran off, leaving his companion behind. We apologized to her and thought it was over."
Aftermath
The woman continued, "He returned about 30 minutes later, screaming and threatening violence. I tried to calm the situation and apologized again – and the next thing I remember, I woke up in the medical tent an hour later and missed the entire show. This man hit me in the face." Since the face of the alleged attacker was clearly visible in the video, thousands of spectators were eager to see a suspect identified and face consequences, both at his job and in the law.
Reaction from Rüfüs du Sol
On Monday, Rüfüs du Sol, the Australian electronic music trio, released a statement on social media, saying, "We want our fans to gather, come together, and celebrate." The incident has sparked a conversation about safety and security at concerts and festivals. The victim has stated that she plans to pursue charges and a civil lawsuit against her attacker.
