They gathered at a trendy restaurant in downtown Los Angeles on Sunday — a group of women out for lunch. But police said the outing turned into a fight involving a knife and a bottle, which was used to bash a fellow diner in the skull.
Five women were hospitalized, one of whom was seriously injured.
29-year-old Dara Newsome and 26-year-old Kumiko Howard were arrested after a violent altercation inside on Sunday. ZayaA dining venue in a historic building downtown that promotes itself as “a safe and welcoming gathering place.”
The women were enjoying lunch inside the restaurant in the 500 block of West 7th Street — when it came time to pay the bill, an argument broke out, police said.
LAPD Capt. Kelly Muniz, who oversees the Downtown L.A. area, told The Times that a woman picked up a knife and stabbed at least two people in the group. Police said another woman picked up a bottle and hit it on the head of the initial attacker.
The Los Angeles Fire Department confirmed earlier this week that a total of five people were taken to the hospital, including one in critical condition. The age of the injured women is between 26 to 37 years. Police on Tuesday said there was no update on his recovery.
There was no information available about their relationship with each other or what sparked the violence.
Police arrived around 5 p.m. and arrested Newsome and Howard.
Both women were booked on hooliganism charges. Howard is in custody.
Newsom posted $30,000 bail Monday, according to booking records. His next court date is April 13.
Restaurant posted after stabbing on Instagram“We are aware of the incident that occurred earlier today,” and indicated that the situation was “out of our control.”
Zaya is led by Chef Ty Brie, a California native who blends Southern influences with a modern, high-energy atmosphere. Known for its “dinner and a show” concept, the restaurant pairs its menu with music and private event offerings, According to its website.
