A “normal day” for an employee at a California 7-Eleven turned tragic when she was allegedly attacked by one of her supervisors.
Jessica McLaughlin’s family is preparing to remove her from life support because her “brain had stopped functioning” as a result of oxygen deprivation, according to her brother’s GoFundMe post.
“On Tuesday, the 24th [of June], Jessica walked into work expecting a normal day — but instead, she was violently and senselessly attacked by one of her managers,” said reporter Sean McLaughlin. “She held her down, sat on top of her, and did not allow her to breathe. While some coworkers attempted to assist and stop it, they too were attacked. When she was finally free, she collapsed. “She was not breathing.”
According to the Los Angeles Police Department, the incident took place at a 7-Eleven in the 5700 block of Melrose Avenue, near the famed Paramount Pictures studios.
Cops arrived to find a woman in her 20s unconscious, and the suspect had fled the scene before officers arrived. Paramedics transported the victim to a hospital.
Sean McLaughlin told local CW affiliate KTLA that his sister was nearly done with her shift when her manager threw a bottle at her. The manager then allegedly assaulted and pinned her to the ground.
After she collapsed, her coworkers performed 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,” wrote McLaughlin’s Sean. “Doctors and detectives later confirmed what we all knew in our hearts: Jessica did nothing wrong. She was the victim, and the attack should never have occurred.”
The victim was placed on life support by hospital staff, but doctors were unable to detect any brain activity in the days following the attack, according to family. The family is currently planning her funeral. They reportedly intend to take her off life support within the next day or so.
Sean McLaughlin began the GoFundMe post with a heartfelt tribute to his sister.
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 is still under investigation. There have been no arrests announced.
7-Eleven issued a statement stating that the manager in question had been fired and that the company is cooperating with law enforcement.
“Our hearts are with those affected during this difficult time,” the statement read.
