A longtime volunteer who dedicates her time to feeding the homeless in MacArthur Park suffered a brutal assault with a metal pipe, leaving her with a shattered jaw and six missing teeth. The attack raises urgent questions about safety in Los Angeles parks, overwhelmed by homelessness and mental health crises.

Vicious Assault During Sunday Meal Service

Eva Woods was serving meals during her regular Sunday volunteer shift on February 22 when an unknown woman approached from behind without warning and struck her in the face with a metal pipe. Woods, who runs the MacArthur Project providing more than 700 meals weekly to homeless individuals, required immediate hospitalization and emergency surgery the next day. Doctors wired her jaw shut after discovering fractures to both upper and lower jaws. She lost six teeth in the attack and now faces dental implant procedures to restore her smile.

Eva Woods, who has led the volunteer-run MacArthur Project for about six years, has been providing more than 700 meals each week, along with hygiene kits and other supplies, to people experiencing homelessness in and around MacArthur Park in Los Angeles.

On Sunday, February 22,… pic.twitter.com/MqNDMAgVWu

— BANK OF TRUEST (@BANKOFTRUE5T) March 11, 2026

Catherine Schetina, who organized a GoFundMe campaign on Woods’ behalf, described the incident as a shocking anomaly. The suspect was not familiar to volunteers or park regulars who have come to know the community over six years of service. The fundraiser has collected approximately $39,000, surpassing its initial goal and covering an estimated $30,000 in dental implant costs and related medical expenses. Woods assured supporters through Instagram that she plans to return to feeding the homeless as soon as her physical recovery allows.

Park Overwhelmed by Emergency Calls

MacArthur Park generates a staggering volume of 911 calls as Los Angeles struggles with spiraling homelessness and mental health emergencies. LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell reported that roughly one-third of all calls to the department involve individuals experiencing mental health crises, totaling about 40 calls every hour citywide. Fire Station 11, which serves the MacArthur Park area, responded to 8,568 ambulance runs in just the first eight months of 2025 compared to only 55 structure fires, making it among the busiest firehouses in America.

Volunteer Spirit Remains Unbroken

Despite the severity of her injuries, Woods expressed gratitude for the financial support that allows her to heal without economic stress. The MacArthur Project continues its mission, distributing meals three times weekly along with hygiene kits, groceries, tents, and essential supplies to those living in the park. Volunteers emphasize that the attack does not reflect the character of the community they serve, though it highlights the very real dangers facing those who step forward to help vulnerable populations in crisis-stricken urban areas across California.