Pasadena, Calif.— In an alarming incident early Monday morning at the Allen Metro station in Pasadena, a woman suffered a brutal attack where she was forcibly dragged toward oncoming freeway traffic. The assault, captured in a harrowing video circulated on social media, shows a male assailant violently attacking the woman, ultimately attempting to throw her into the lanes of the bustling 210 Freeway.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department reported responding to the assault around 5:43 a.m. on August 7. Upon arrival, deputies discovered the victim on the station platform. According to official reports, she was subjected to multiple punches and was knocked down, after which her attacker further assaulted her by pushing her onto the tracks and dragging her over the divider into a freeway lane.
Miraculously, the woman managed to escape her attacker and return to the safety of the platform. She was later hospitalized and is reported to be in stable condition. The traumatizing event has sparked concerns over safety at local Metro stations.
Authorities moved swiftly in response to the incident, apprehending 33-year-old Juan Pablo Flores near the scene of the attack. He now faces serious charges including one count of attempted murder and one count of mayhem and is held without bail. Los Angeles County District Attorney, George Gascón emphasized the gravity of the attack in his statement, assuring the public that such violence on the transit system will be met with full accountability.
District Attorney Gascón expressed his concern over the incident, stating, “No one should have to endure such brutality and everyone deserves to go about their day without fear for their safety.” He reaffirmed his commitment to maintaining security and prosecuting those who compromise public safety on the transit system.
Flores is scheduled for arraignment on August 27 in Pasadena. If convicted, he faces a potential maximum sentence of life in prison. This case has not only highlighted the vulnerabilities on public transit but also galvanized community and legal advocacy groups into calling for increased security measures to ensure the safety of commuters.
This incident resonates deeply within the community, drawing parallels with other recent events in public transit areas across the nation, prompting discussions around the adequacy of current security measures and the support available to victims of such violent acts. As the legal proceedings unfold, many are waiting to see how justice will be served in this deeply unsettling case.