Domestic Violence Suspect Arrested in Alhambra After Woman Uses TikTok-Popular Hand Signal for Help

By Ronald Rodriguez Last updated Sep 4, 2025

Alhambra, CA – A domestic violence suspect was apprehended in Southern California after his victim discreetly used a social media-driven hand gesture to signal distress at a local 7-Eleven store, authorities reported.The timely recognition of this subtle plea for help has brought renewed attention to the power of the “Signal for Help” hand gesture, popularized on platforms like TikTok, which is allowing victims to silently communicate danger and seek assistance.

How a Simple Hand Gesture Led to an Arrest

On August 19, officers responded to a 911 call about suspicious circumstances at a 7-Eleven in Alhambra, California, approximately 10 miles east of downtown Los Angeles. According to the Alhambra Police Department, further investigation revealed the woman had used the hand signal behind her back to silently ask for help due to a domestic violence incident.

The suspect, identified as John Palombi, 38, from Glendora, California, was caught on an officer’s body camera attempting to flee when police approached him and the victim outside the store. Attempting to evade on-scene deputies, Palombi discarded items and sprinted but was quickly detained.

“Someone recognized what she was doing and called us to respond,” the police stated. “When asked to stand up for a pat down, the suspect attempted to flee but didn’t even make it out of the parking lot.”

Further details revealed Palombi was carrying a stun gun and had an active warrant at the time of arrest. He is currently being held without bail at the Men’s Central Jail in downtown Los Angeles and is scheduled for a court appearance on September 11.

Date of incident: August 19, 2025
Location: 7-Eleven, Alhambra, CA
Suspect: John Palombi, 38
Status: Held without bail; court date on September 11

The Signal for Help: A Lifeline for Victims of Domestic Violence

The hand gesture used by the victim is part of the Signal for Help campaign launched by the Canadian Women’s Foundation in April 2020. This one-handed gesture enables victims to ask for help discreetly, without leaving a digital trace or alerting their abuser.

The sign is executed by facing the palm forward, tucking in the thumb, and closing the other fingers over the thumb, thus ‘trapping’ it. It serves as a coded message meaning, “reach out to me safely,” rather than an immediate call to authorities.

This non-verbal distress signal gained traction on social media platforms like TikTok, where users and organizations demonstrate its usage to help victims communicate danger safely.

The gesture can be used during video calls or situations where speaking out loud is too risky.
It encourages people nearby or online to check in safely without escalating the situation.

Real-World Success Stories Demonstrate Power of the Signal for Help

The Alhambra case follows other notable incidents where the hand signal helped save lives. In 2021, a 16-year-old girl missing for several days was rescued after signaling distress to another driver using the gesture.

Similarly, in 2022, a man from Tennessee faced charges including aggravated kidnapping and domestic assault after his ex-girlfriend used the same hand signal discreetly to alert gas station staff, leading to intervention.

These cases emphasize the effectiveness of a simple gesture in providing a vital communication tool for those trapped in abusive situations.

Experts and advocates continue to stress the importance of public awareness about the Signal for Help to empower and protect victims of domestic violence.

For more details on this story and similar incidents, visit the full report by USA TODAY here.

Resources and Support for Domestic Violence Victims

If you or someone you know is facing domestic abuse, help is available.

National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
Online chat and resources are available on their official website.

Remember, recognizing the signs and offering support can save lives.