safety
Woman arrested after allegedly attacking street vendor in downtown LA
By Dennis Broad, Jonathan Lloyd and Amber Frias at NBC Los Angeles (KNBC)
· June 25, 2026
· 2 min read
A woman accused of attacking a downtown Los Angeles street vendor in an incident that was recorded on video was arrested Thursday, police said.
Harmunie Heaven Church, 19, was arrested on suspicion of felony battery, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. Police say she’s being held o...
Key takeaway Harmunie Heaven Church, 19, was arrested on suspicion of felony battery, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.
Why this matters in The Los Angeles
The arrest of Harmunie Heaven Church brings some measure of relief to the downtown Los Angeles community, where street vendors like Arabelia Martinez are a common sight. However, the incident also raises concerns about the safety and well-being of these vendors, who often work long hours in isolated areas. The fact that the altercation began over a dispute about a vending permit suggests that there may be underlying issues related to the regulation and support of street vendors in the city. As the district attorney's office considers filing charges, the community will be watching to see how the case is handled and what measures are taken to prevent similar incidents in the future. The impact on Martinez, who is still recovering from her injuries and emotional trauma, is a stark reminder of the human cost of such violence and the need for greater support and protection for vulnerable members of the community.
About this story
Original reporting by NBC Los Angeles (KNBC) . The Los Angeles surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit NBC Los Angeles (KNBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: June 25, 2026 ·
Source: NBC Los Angeles (KNBC) ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? A woman accused of attacking a downtown Los Angeles street vendor in an incident that was recorded on video was arrested Thursday, police said.
Harmunie Heaven Church, 19, was arrested on suspicion of felony battery, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. Police say she’s being held o...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 25, 2026 by NBC Los Angeles (KNBC) and curated for The Los Angeles readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Dennis Broad, Jonathan Lloyd and Amber Frias at NBC Los Angeles (KNBC). To learn more about how The Los Angeles selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The Los Angeles, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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