Arisleidy Pérez, who owns Abba Beauty Salon, told Telemundo 62 that the violence on Nov. 2, 2026, unfolded inside her business and claimed the life of 34-year-old Bellaniris Hernandez, whom she considered a sister.

"He hit me in the head with the butt of the gun about 20, 25 times... I don't know, so many times," Pérez said.

Newly obtained video shows part of the attack, including the suspect entering the salon's kitchen, firing a gun and repeatedly beating Pérez after she was dragged to the back of the business. Pérez said she pretended to be unconscious as the assault continued, while two employees, including Hernandez, were cornered inside.

"He tortured us, he tried to rape us... and thank God he wasn't able to, but he beat us badly," Pérez said.

Police identified the suspect as Jamal Pistoria, who was arrested early Friday morning, Nov. 6, after a person spotted him boarding a SEPTA bus near Broad Street and Lehigh Avenue. The tipster called 911 and provided the bus number, allowing officers to follow the bus into Center City, where Pistoria was taken into custody without incident.

Pistoria faces multiple charges, including murder, robbery and rape. His first court hearing is expected at the end of November.

Pérez described the attack as a fight for survival that felt endless.

"It was 18 minutes that I thought would never end. I'm so sorry that Bella wasn't able to make it out alive because that monster wanted to kill all of us. But God gave me the strength to fight back against him and make it out alive because he had no intention of letting any of us leave," she said.

Pérez and another employee, whose identity is being withheld, survived. Through tears, Pérez remembered Hernandez and said she now wants justice for her death.

"It's going to be very difficult now that she's gone," Pérez said.

Pérez also pushed back against claims circulating about her alleged familiarity with the suspect.

"I never trusted some guy enough to take out the trash for him, like people have been saying, or knew him. None of us knew that person," she said.

Pérez, who had operated Abba Beauty Salon for two years, said the business's security system was broken at the time of the attack and was awaiting repairs. She has since undergone surgery and continues to recover from her physical injuries and the emotional trauma of losing Hernandez.

As she prepares for the legal proceedings ahead, Pérez is calling for increased security measures to help protect small-business owners and their employees.

"There should be more police around businesses, they should give us alarms connected to the police and the tools we need to work with greater peace of mind," Pérez said.

Pérez plans to relocate to a different salon as she continues her recovery. For now, she remains focused on seeking justice for Hernandez and preventing other women from experiencing the violence she and her employees endured.

"I hope he never gets out of where he is so that other women don't have to go through this," she said.