SAN ANTONIO – A man was arrested for allegedly assaulting a woman and her 3-year-old daughter at a South Side park over the weekend, according to the San Antonio Police Department.
Officers responded to the scene just before 3 p.m. Saturday at Espada Park, located in the 1700 block of Southeast Military Drive.
Upon arrival, SAPD said officers found Atharva Vyas, 24, being restrained by a bystander who had witnessed the alleged assault. The witness did not know Vyas or the victims.
Gabriella Perez, 27, told KSAT she and her family were fishing at the park when the random attack happened. She said Vyas was a total stranger.
Perez said Vyas appeared out of the woods and began punching her and grabbing her by the hair, causing her to drop her daughter.
A SAPD preliminary report also states Vyas pulled Perez’s hair as she walked away with the child. Perez fell to the ground, police said, dropping her daughter.
Perez said Vyas also allegedly began biting her daughter’s face. She said it was like a scene out of a horror movie.
“I think when everyone was there I got up and was like this is like a f—— zombie movie. Like what the heck,” Perez said.
Police said the child suffered serious bodily injury. The report states that Perez and the child were evaluated for their injuries.
SAPD said Vyas was restrained by the witness until officers arrived.
Vyas was arrested for aggravated assault and assault bodily injury, according to the report.
It is unknown what led up to the physical assault, SAPD said. The investigation is ongoing.
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