Woman brutally beaten at MacArthur Park while feeding homeless
A horrific incident occurred in MacArthur Park where a woman, known for her selfless act of feeding the homeless each week, was brutally attacked with a metal pipe while serving meals. The victim, Eva Woods, suffered a shattered jaw and had six teeth knocked out during the violent assault. A fundraiser was set up to help cover her extensive medical expenses resulting from the attack.
The assailant approached Woods from behind without warning and struck her in the face with a metal pipe during the group’s regular Sunday lunch service in late February. Following the attack, Woods was immediately taken to the hospital and underwent surgery the next day. Doctors revealed that both her upper and lower jaw were broken, requiring her jaw to be wired shut and dental implants to replace the missing teeth.
Eva Woods has been a dedicated volunteer running the MacArthur Project for the past six years, providing over 700 meals each week to the homeless community in the park. The project also offers essential supplies such as hygiene kits, groceries, and tents to those in need. The fundraiser for Eva Woods has raised approximately $39,000, exceeding the initial goal, which will help cover the estimated $30,000 cost of dental implants and other medical care.
Despite this tragic incident, the community at MacArthur Park stands united in support of Eva Woods. The attack was described as a bizarre one-off event and not reflective of the park’s overall culture. However, the park has been associated with a high number of emergency calls, particularly related to the city’s homelessness and mental health crisis.
LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell highlighted that approximately one-third of all calls to the Los Angeles Police Department involve individuals in mental health crises, emphasizing the urgent need for mental health resources and support. Firefighters at Los Angeles Fire Department Station 11, which serves the MacArthur Park area, responded to a significant number of ambulance runs, indicating the challenges faced by first responders in addressing the community’s needs.
Eva Woods expressed her gratitude to donors for their overwhelming support and reassured her intention to return to the park as soon as possible. The outpouring of generosity through the fundraiser has provided her with a sense of relief and healing without the burden of financial worries. The community remains resilient and committed to continuing their mission of serving those in need at MacArthur Park.
