Jessica McLaughlin, a 24-year-old 7-Eleven employee, has died after being taken off life support. The incident started when she showed up to work on June 24 and allegedly got into a fight with her manager.
Her family said the manager pulled Jessica’s hair and then sat on top of her. Sean McLaughlin, her brother, said: “She held her down, sat on top of her, and didn’t let her breathe.
“While some coworkers tried to help and stop it, they were attacked too. When she finally got free, she collapsed. She wasn’t breathing.”
Sean said coworkers tried to do CPR while the manager ran to the back to delete security footage. According to the family, she then left on a bike.
Jessica had been on machines for a few days before her family made the decision to let her go. Sean said: “She has been kept alive on machines for the past couple of days. For all of these days, her mom Jasmine, her dad Clancey, our brother Anthony, step dad Albert, faithful boyfriend Adrian, sister Linda and I — along with so many friends and family — stayed by her side, hoping, praying for some kind of miracle.
“But the damage from the lack of oxygen was too much. Her brain had stopped functioning. After getting second opinions and doing everything we could, we have to make the impossible decision to let her go.”
The LAPD said they were called to the store in Hollywood and found Jessica unconscious on the floor. In a release they said: “Preliminary information indicated that two women became involved in a verbal dispute inside the business that escalated into a physical confrontation.”
They also confirmed they have video of what happened but won’t be releasing it yet. Police are now launching a homicide investigation.
A 7-Eleven spokesperson said: “Our hearts are with those impacted during this difficult time. The suspect has been terminated, and we continue to fully cooperate with law enforcement in their investigation.”
