Santa Monica Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf attack suspect photo released

SANTA MONICA, Calif. (KABC) -- Santa Monica police released photos of the woman wanted in the brutal beating of a tourist at a Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf.

The incident occurred earlier this week in the 200 block of Santa Monica Boulevard.

Barbara Lowy, who was visiting California from New York with her husband, said the suspect grabbed her hair and threw her to the ground before threatening to shoot her with a machine gun.

Lowy's husband punched the woman, who then ran off.

Police described the suspect as a white female, approximately 5 feet 4 inches tall, weighing around 130 pounds with long, straight, brown hair and a medium complexion.

The motive for the attack was unknown, but Lowy said she believes the suspect has mental health issues.

Lowy was transported to an area hospital. She said she suffered a hairline fracture to a vertebrae.

If you have any information about this attack, you're urged to contact Santa Monica police.