Los Angeles police have arrested a 19-year-old woman in connection with a violent assault on a hot dog street vendor in downtown Los Angeles that was recorded on video and widely circulated on social media. The suspect, identified as Harmunie Heaven Church, faces charges of felony battery with great bodily injury and is currently being held on $50,000 bail.

The incident took place on June 15 around 4 p.m. on the 700 block of Figueroa Street. According to LAPD reports, officers responded to a battery call involving a dispute between a pedestrian and a hot dog vendor. The vendor, identified by family members as 62-year-old Arabelia Martinez, was attacked after the suspect allegedly poured a substance over the vendor’s food. In response, Martinez threw what appeared to be powdered seasoning at the suspect, who then physically assaulted Martinez.

Video footage shows the suspect grabbing Martinez by the hair and repeatedly striking her despite efforts by bystanders to intervene. The attack caused Martinez to fall to the ground multiple times as the suspect continued to hit her head and face. Martinez was eventually assisted by onlookers and managed to leave the scene.

Following the event, a TikTok user going by the name Ladydope6 posted several videos claiming to be the attacker. In these videos, the woman justified her actions by alleging racial discrimination, saying Martinez refused to serve her. She stated she retaliated by pouring chamoy, a Mexican condiment, on the hot dogs but denied physically attacking the vendor. The user also claimed the powdered seasoning—Tajin—thrown by Martinez caused irritation similar to pepper spray, prompting her reaction. Requests for further comment from the TikTok user were not immediately returned.

Martinez offered a different account to Univision, saying the suspect demanded free food, which she refused. She expressed shock over the assault, highlighting the impact of the event. A fundraising campaign set up by Martinez’s daughter has raised over $120,000 to assist with therapy and to replace damaged goods.

The family’s fundraising page describes Martinez as a dedicated and resilient worker who supports her family through her daily street vending, emphasizing that no one deserves such treatment. Police continue to investigate the incident as Church remains in custody awaiting further legal proceedings.