Inset: Jessica McLaughlin (GoFundMe). Background: 7-Eleven in Los Angeles, California, where an alleged attack left her brain dead (Google Maps).
A “normal day” for an employee at a California 7-Eleven turned tragic when she was allegedly attacked by one of her managers.
The family of Jessica McLaughlin has made the difficult decision to remove her from life support due to severe brain damage caused by oxygen deprivation, according to a GoFundMe post by her brother.
“On Tuesday, June 24th, Jessica anticipated a regular day at work — but unexpectedly faced a brutal attack by one of her managers,” Sean McLaughlin explained. “Her manager pinned her down, sat on her, obstructing her breathing. Though some colleagues attempted to intervene, they were assaulted as well. Once Jessica was freed, she collapsed, unable to breathe.”
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The Los Angeles Police Department informed local media that the assault took place at a 7-Eleven located on the 5700 block of Melrose Avenue, near the iconic Paramount Pictures studios. When officers arrived, they found a woman in her 20s unconscious, while the attacker had already absconded. Paramedics promptly transported the victim to the hospital for urgent care.
Sean McLaughlin told local local CW affiliate KTLA that his sister was almost finished with her shift when her manager threw a bottle at her. The manager then allegedly attacked her and pinned her to the ground.
After she collapsed, her co-workers did CPR on her until first responders arrived.
“Meanwhile, the manager ran to the back room to try and delete the security footage — and then fled the scene on her bike,” Sean McLaughlin wrote. “Doctors and detectives later confirmed what we already knew in our hearts — Jessica didn’t do anything wrong. She was the victim, and this attack should have never happened.”
Hospital staff placed the victim on life support, but doctors could find no brain activity in the days following the attack, the family said. Now the family is planning her funeral. They reportedly plan to take her off life support in the next day or so.
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Sean McLaughlin wrote a touching tribute to his sister to open the GoFundMe post.
Jessica McLaughlin is my sister — but she’s so much more than that. She’s a daughter, a best friend, and the kind of auntie every kid dreams of having. She’s been my rock these past five years while we’ve lived together. She was always there — for me, for our family, and honestly, for anyone who needed her.
Jessica had a way of making people feel safe, accepted, and loved. You could come to her with anything and know you wouldn’t be judged. She was the kind of person who rooted for the underdog, who lifted people up when they were down, and who truly saw the good in everyone. She had such a beautiful soul and deserved so much better than the way her life was taken from her.
The incident remains under investigation. No arrests have been announced.
7-Eleven issued a statement that said the manager in question has been fired and the company is cooperating with law enforcement.
“Our hearts are with those impacted during this difficult time,” the statement said.
