Left inset: Anthony Gonzalez (U.S. Marshals Service). Right inset: Jaedynn Anthony (GoFundMe). Background: Surveillance video allegedly shows Anthony Gonzalez entering the 7-Eleven in Oklahoma where 18-year-old Jaedynn Anthony worked and greeting her before robbing and killing the new mom (Oklahoma City Police Department).
Prosecutors in Oklahoma are pursuing the death penalty for a man accused of the brutal killing of a teenage 7-Eleven employee, a recent mother working the overnight shift alone. The young woman was fatally stabbed, and the assailant made off with a meager sum of “under $40” from the register, according to authorities.
Anthony Gonzalez, 24, is charged with the robbery and fatal stabbing of Jaedynn Anthony, an 18-year-old mother to a one-year-old son. The tragic event occurred in October 2024 at a 7-Eleven located in Oklahoma City, as per the police report.
The Oklahoma County District Attorney’s Office detailed the incident in a press release last week, stating, “Gonzalez secured the money, stabbed Jaedynn once, and departed the premises.”
Authorities noted that officers arrived at the scene around 2:45 a.m. to find Jaedynn deceased. “Gonzalez left the establishment with less than $40,” the DA’s office confirmed.
According to police reports, customers discovered Anthony in critical condition upon entering the store. The police noted, “A suspect entered the store and, for unspecified reasons, stabbed Ms. Anthony before escaping on foot.”
Store surveillance footage captured Gonzalez entering the store, greeting Anthony, and then feigning interest in purchasing an item from behind the counter.
“She said hi to him, and he said hi to her when he came in the door,” said Somer Goodgion, Anthony’s cousin, in an interview with local CBS affiliate KWTV. “The audacity the man had to say hi to her knowing what you’re about to do this young baby.”
Gonzalez allegedly ordered Anthony to open up the cash register after exchanging words with her and then stabbed her “once the till was open” before fleeing the 7-Eleven, according to police. He was on the run for several days before being arrested by Oklahoma City Police and U.S. Marshals task force members.
“I hope you die in horrible pain,” Goodgion told KWTV after Gonzalez’s arrest. “As you’re dying I hope you see my cousin’s face and you see her son’s face, and what you’ve taken from her.”
A GoFundMe launched for Anthony’s family describes the teen as a “bright light” who left behind a “precious 1-year-old” named Brayden.
Goodgion told KWTV that Anthony was “not allowed to have” a phone while working. She had purchased pepper spray to help protect herself, but that was it.
“What do you give these people to protect themselves?” he asked.
The DA’s office said the reasoning for seeking the death penalty against Gonzalez had to do with his attack being “especially heinous” and “cruel,” which the office describes as aggravating circumstances that led to the decision.
“Our office treats the decision to seek the death penalty with the utmost seriousness,” said DA Vicki Zemp Behenna. “It is never made lightly and never made in haste. This determination is based on a careful review of the facts, the law, and extensive discussion with experienced prosecutors in my office. Based on that process and the evidence in this case, we believe seeking the death penalty is appropriate.”
Gonzalez had a preliminary hearing on charges of first-degree murder and robbery with a dangerous weapon. He was bound over to stand trial and remains in custody on a $10 million bond, with his next court date scheduled for April 1.
