On January 6, 2026, Aralyn Martinez, 24, from Humble, Texas, allegedly assaulted another woman at a 24 Hour Fitness gym in Spring, Texas, after recognizing her as someone involved with Martinez’s partner. Harris County Constable Precinct 4 deputies responded to reports of the altercation, where Martinez reportedly grabbed a 25-pound weight plate, threatened the victim by saying “bitch, I’m going to drop this plate on you,” and threw it toward her head. The victim dodged the plate, avoiding injury, thanks to bystanders who intervened to prevent escalation.
Legal Charges and Arrest
Martinez faces a felony charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon for intentionally threatening imminent bodily injury using the weight plate, as detailed in charging documents. She fled the scene but was arrested on January 7, booked into Harris County Jail, and released the next day on a $1,000 personal bond. Court records note alcohol likely contributed, leading to pretrial conditions including random drug/alcohol testing, a ban on alcohol consumption, and a 200-foot no-contact/no-go order around the victim and gym.
Court Status
Martinez’s arraignment is scheduled for Thursday, January 22, 2026. She has a public defender, but no updates on pleas or comments were available in initial reports from PEOPLE and KHOU 11. The incident was captured on cell phone video, supporting probable cause.
Comparison to Prior Cases
Unlike the Michigan gas station crossfire killing innocents or the Louisiana neglect homicide in squalid home conditions, this gym attack stemmed from personal jealousy in a public fitness space, resolved quickly due to evasion and intervention without physical harm. All three early 2026 incidents highlight sudden violence risks in everyday locations—gas stations, homes, and gyms—with legal focus on weapons, intent, and vulnerability.
