A man has been arrested after allegedly assaulting a woman during a concert at the Rose Bowl. The incident took place at a sold-out show by the Australian EDM group, Lufes du Sol, on August 16.
Julio Cesar Lopez Zavala was apprehended at his home in Hawthorn, California, four days after the brutal attack. Pasadena police confirmed the arrest, which gained attention after a video of the violent confrontation went viral.
According to reports, during the concert, Zavala returned to confront the victim, Shelby Elston, along with her fiancé. Elston described how she was attacked when she tried to intervene between the two men.
In a social media post, Elston recounted, “This guy punched me in the face! I was completely knocked out, and blood was pouring from my face.” She detailed how Zavala allegedly threw her into the bleachers and continued to assault her even after she became unconscious, as witnessed by others.
Bystanders attempted to intervene, with some reportedly pulling down Zavala’s pants while others tried to shield Elston. She eventually regained consciousness in a medical tent shortly after the chaos.
Zavala managed to escape the venue but was captured by authorities several days later. Police noted that the viral videos and tips from concert-goers significantly helped in identifying him.
Some attendees have voiced their concerns about safety at the Rose Bowl, suggesting that security measures were inadequate. A woman present with her daughter expressed that the crowd was dangerously overcrowded and mentioned her discomfort with the atmosphere inside the venue.
Elston returned home to Arizona with some bruises and lingering pain but is hopeful for a full recovery. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office is reviewing the case to determine formal charges against Zavala.
The police department has been contacted for further details on the situation.
