Home / Crime and Justice / Arizona Woman Sues Rose Bowl After Brutal Attack by Irate Fan
Arizona Woman Sues Rose Bowl After Brutal Attack by Irate Fan
2 Oct
Summary
- Arizona woman assaulted at RÜFÜS DU SOL concert in August 2022
- Attacker punched her, causing significant bleeding and unconsciousness
- Couple suing venue for negligence in security and safety
In August 2022, an Arizona woman named Shelby Lynn Elston was violently assaulted at a RÜFÜS DU SOL concert held at the Rose Bowl. Elston, along with her fiancé Cain Webb and some friends, had driven hours from Phoenix to attend the sold-out show.
As Elston and a friend were making their way to their seats, they accidentally spilled a bit of a drink on a man in front of them. The couple immediately apologized, but the man, later identified as 23-year-old Julio Cesar Lopez Zavala, became irate and threatened violence.
About half an hour later, Zavala returned and allegedly began screaming at Elston and her friends. When Elston tried to deescalate the situation by apologizing again, Zavala punched her in the face, knocking her unconscious and causing significant bleeding. Footage of the attack shows Zavala launching into the group and throwing at least five punches.
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Elston's fiancé, Cain, attempted to shield her as she sat on the ground, at one point having to perform CPR to get her breathing again. Both Elston and Webb were later treated by paramedics.
Zavala had already fled the scene by the time police arrived, but he was later arrested on August 21st. Elston and Webb have now filed a lawsuit against the Rose Bowl Operating Company, alleging negligence in managing security and failing to protect patrons from harm.
The couple is seeking compensatory and punitive damages to be decided at trial. The incident has been described as "devastating" by the RÜFÜS DU SOL band, who acknowledged the violence that took place during their show.
