Actress Pauley Perrette, who plays lab technician Abby Sciuto in CBS’ NCIS, was attacked outside her Hollywood home on November 12.

The 46-year-old NCIS star, who was hit in the face several times, told Twitter followers she thought she was going to die.

In a lengthy post, Pauley Perrette described the man as “psychotic”, adding: “I am shaken and traumatized… I almost died tonight.”

Police said a man was later arrested for aggravated battery.

LAPD officer Jane Kim confirmed Pauley Perrette’s account of the assault was accurate.

Photo Twitter

She said 45-year-old David Merck was charged with aggravated battery. Bail has been set at $100,000.

In her account of the assault, Pauley Perrette described David Merck as a “a VERY psychotic homeless man”.

“He grabbed me so forcefully, pinned my arm, punched me in the nose, forehead, repeatedly telling me he was going to kill me.”

Pauley Perrette said her attacker “headed towards Hollywood Blvd, with murder in his eyes”.

She recalled how, as she lay collapsed on the ground, a man walked past “on his phone, annoyed. Did nothing.”

Pauley Perrette’s tweet ended: “Tonight was awful, life-changing and I’m only grateful to be alive.”

The actress has been with the cast of NCIS since it began in 2003.

NCIS, about the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, is the most-watched drama on US TV. Last week’s episode was watched by an audience of 18 million.