Current:Home > NewsPolice arrest suspect weeks after brutal attack of 13-year-old at a McDonald's in Los Angeles -FinanceMind
Police arrest suspect weeks after brutal attack of 13-year-old at a McDonald's in Los Angeles
View
Date:2025-04-12 01:34:13
Officials arrested a 31-year-old woman Thursday for allegedly attacking a 13-year-old at a Los Angeles McDonald's in a now viral video.
The suspect, Ariana Lauifi, is being held in suspicion of a child abuse felony for the Sept. 6 attack in the Harbor City neighborhood, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.
"The public’s continued interest in the incident resulted in investigators receiving numerous leads, ultimately assisting detectives in positively identifying the suspect," LAPD wrote in a news release.
Cell phone video recordings show a woman brutally punching and kicking 13-year-old Kassidy Jones multiple times, pulling her hair and forcing her to the floor inside the fast-food restaurant as no bystanders interfere. Jones said she and her friends were walking home from school when they stopped at the restaurant to use the restroom, KTLA reported.
See also:Ohio couple sentenced to prison for fraud scheme involving dubious Alzheimer's diagnoses
Jones said a woman she had never met before quickly lunged at her and began beating her. The child added the entire incident was completely unprovoked. She recalled the attacker saying "What the F are you looking at? I fight kids. I’ll fight you!"
The suspect is currently held with the bail price set for $100,000, jail records show. The case will be sent to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office for filing consideration, LAPD said.
The victim suffered severe bruising including on her face, according ABC7. Jones' mother reportedly said her daughter is also hurting emotionally.
"She can't sleep at night. She's bruised," the victim's mother Angelina Gray told ABC7. "She doesn't want to go to school because she's tired of the kids and everybody asking her what happened and making fun of her."
"The family of Kassidy Jones are extremely grateful that the LAPD has made an arrest of the woman who viciously beat Kassidy in an unprovoked attack inside McDonald's. As McDonald's managers and onlookers offered no help in stopping the assault," a spokesperson for the family said in a statement.
"Kassidy, is still traumatized and undergoing therapy. But hopefully this news will give her encouragement that justice will be served. Kassidy deserves a break today."
“We were horrified to learn about this violent attack, and our thoughts are with Kassidy and her family," store owner and operator Tawnie Blade told USA TODAY. "Employees called police when the fight began, and we’re continuing to work closely with local law enforcement to help with their investigation."
More:Lightning strike kills 16-year-old Florida girl who was out hunting with her dad
veryGood! (9774)
Related
- Whoopi Goldberg is delightfully vile as Miss Hannigan in ‘Annie’ stage return
- Paris has beautifully meshed Olympics with city, shining new light on iconic spaces
- US confirms role in identifying alleged terrorist plot for Taylor Swift shows
- USA vs. Australia basketball live updates: Start time, how to watch Olympic semifinal
- Scoot flight from Singapore to Wuhan turns back after 'technical issue' detected
- Why Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco Are Sparking Engagement Rumors
- Illinois sheriff retiring after deputy he hired was charged with murder for shooting Sonya Massey
- USWNT vs. Brazil live updates: USA wins Olympic gold for first time in 12 years
- The Super Bowl could end in a 'three
- Hirono is heavily favored to win Hawaii’s Democratic primary as she seeks reelection to US Senate
Ranking
- California DMV apologizes for license plate that some say mocks Oct. 7 attack on Israel
- Lawsuit accusing T.I., Tiny Harris of assault dismissed by judge
- Record-breaking wildfires scorch more than 1.4 million acres in Oregon, authorities say
- Bodycam video shows Baltimore officers opening fire on fleeing teen moments after seeing his gun
- Meta releases AI model to enhance Metaverse experience
- Quincy Wilson says he 'wasn't 100% myself' during his Olympics debut in 4x400 relay
- BMW recalls more than 100,000 cars due to overheating motor: See full list
- Judge in Maryland rules Baltimore ‘baby bonus’ proposal is unconstitutional
Recommendation
Hackers hit Rhode Island benefits system in major cyberattack. Personal data could be released soon
As US women's basketball goes for 8th straight gold, A'ja Wilson wants more
Anthropologie Is Offering an Extra 40% off Sale This Weekend Only—Shop Home and Fashion Starting at $4
It’s all about style and individuality as the world’s best breakers take the Olympic stage
2 killed, 3 injured in shooting at makeshift club in Houston
What is Angelman syndrome? Genetic disorder inspires Colin Farrell to start foundation
Jordan Chiles could lose her bronze medal from the Olympic floor finals. What happened?
Record-breaking wildfires scorch more than 1.4 million acres in Oregon, authorities say