A woman says she was violently assaulted by an unhoused individual while walking her dog in downtown Los Angeles earlier this month, an attack captured on surveillance video and now under investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department.
The incident happened early on the morning of Nov. 8 in front of a high-rise building across from the Los Angeles Convention Center, according to the victim, who asked to be identified only as “Terra” for her safety.
“Before I knew it, he grabbed me and I was not able to get away,” she said to NewsNation local affiliate KTLA’s Lindsey Peña.
The surveillance footage shows a man approaching Terra as she walked alone. She said the attacker pushed her against the glass of the building, grabbed her by the neck and groped her.
“He grabbed the back of my neck, and my crotch area, and I was screaming for help,” she recalled.
Terra described the man as extremely strong and silent, making only noises rather than speaking. She managed to break free, but the struggle continued.
“When I finally did, that’s when he hit me and tackled me to the ground,” she said.
The two fell out of the camera’s view. Terra said her screams eventually drew the attention of a man farther down the sidewalk, who rushed in and fought off the attacker.
“He was on top of the guy and just hitting him in the head over and over and over,” she said.
The assailant then got up and walked away as if nothing had happened, she said. By the time LAPD officers arrived, the man seen in the video was gone.
Pictured above is a still from the surveillance video showing the moment the woman was attacked. 
Pictured above is a still from the surveillance video showing the moment the woman was attacked. 
Pictured above is a still from the surveillance video showing the moment the woman was attacked. 
Pictured above is a still from the surveillance video showing the moment the woman was attacked. 
Pictured above is a still from the surveillance video showing the moment the woman was attacked. 
Pictured above is a still from the surveillance video showing the moment the woman was attacked. 
Pictured above is a still from the surveillance video showing the moment the woman was attacked. 
Pictured above is a still from the surveillance video showing the moment the woman was attacked. 
Pictured above is a still from the surveillance video showing the moment the woman was attacked. 
Pictured above is a still from the surveillance video showing the moment the woman was attacked.
According to LAPD, the case is being investigated as a sexual battery. Detectives believe the suspect is unhoused, but no arrests have been made. Terra said she was told the man “is probably still out on the streets,” something she says has left her shaken.
“It’s scary to think he’s still out there,” she said.
In the weeks since the attack, Terra says her sense of safety has been upended.
“Now I am no longer outside by myself when there’s nobody around. I always carry mace, I have a stun gun… you just have to be prepared. I’m constantly looking over my shoulder,” she said.
She chose to share her story, in hopes of warning others.
“I hope it never happens to anyone, but you have to be aware and prepared,” she said.
LAPD has not released additional details as the investigation continues. Officials are asking anyone with information about the incident to contact the department at 1-877-527-3247.
Lindsey Peña’s reporting contributed to this article.