The Alameda County District Attorney's Office has charged Rosario Lopez, 31, of Fremont with one felony count of battery causing serious bodily injury in the Oct. 25 attack on Newark City Councilmember Eve Marie Little at Newark Community Park.
Why it matters: Surveillance video shows Little was attacked from behind "seemingly unprovoked," according to a police declaration filed in court, KQED reported. Lopez's public defender says she will fight the case.
What happened
Little told KTVU she was introducing herself to people at the park to ask about planned park updates when a woman knocked her to the ground from behind and punched her in the face repeatedly. She said she was treated at a hospital and has since been to a concussion clinic.
A bystander followed the suspect's car. Police said license plate reader cameras then led them to a car registered to Lopez, and she was arrested Oct. 29. She was later released on bail.
The defense
"When shown a photo lineup Ms. Little did not identify our client as the person who attacked her," said Jeff Chorney, a spokesperson for the Alameda County Public Defender's Office. He said there is "absolutely no indication" the incident was related to Little's council role.
Little is running to keep her council seat and was leading as of Friday, KTVU reported.
Related: Fremont and Newark council results.