By Baraka Noel, Reporter
Update: There has been an arrest in the Sept. 6 assault of Kassidy Jones at the McDonald’s in Lomita. Police are preparing their statement, and Random Lengths News is still awaiting comment from Councilman McOsker – who pledged the support of his office last week.
Najee Ali of Project Islamic Hope offered words of impassioned celebration, he and the family “are grateful that [Kassidy’s] attacker has finally been brought to justice and look forward to ensuring that she is prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law for her attack on a child.”
On Sept. 20, concerned citizens came together for a press conference at the site of a recent, and brutal, act of violence. This, on the heels of a Sept. 16 protest demanding justice for Kassidy Jones.
Thirteen-year-old honor student was attacked at McDonald’s in Lomita on Wednesday, Sept. 6. The apparently unprovoked assault was captured in an unsettling smartphone video, and quickly became a viral topic on social media.
“Detectives at this point have no leads … and they’re having difficulty locating the assailants,” explained Najee Ali – director of Project Islamic Hope, who has joined with the family in a call for justice.
Officer Norma Eisenmen, of LAPD’s media relation division, confirmed that, “A report was taken, and it is an ongoing investigation… No arrests have been made.”
“It was all about surviving and making sure I wasn’t injured in the worst way possible,” said the middle-schooler in prior local media reports.
Following the disturbance, protests at the McDonald’s franchise have caused a stir in the community. Despite numerous witnesses and the circulation of a still image of the assailant no arrests have been made. Jones’ mother, Angelina Gray, sought support on Facebook.
“Please help me find the woman who beat my … daughter senselessly,” she posted.
The attack was, in Jones words,“Very horrific. Very bad.” Despite numerous onlookers. Initially, no one intervened.
The conflict began when Jones exited a McDonald’s restroom. According to Miss Jones, the woman cornered her and said, “What the F— are you looking at? I fight kids. I fight you … then she grabs me and she starts manhandling me. I didn’t do anything to her.”
The teen was eventually forced to fight to fend off the 30 something-year-old attacker.
“The only way … I got her to let go of me was to hit her. And that’s when she start[ed] punching me in my face. And she tried swinging [at] me … she was grabbing me by my hair,” recalled the young survivor.
Eventually, a man stepped in to intercede: he appeared to be a companion of the unidentified aggressor.
Members of the community have speculated a possible racial motivation. Mr. Ali attempted to rally support, stating, “We need the help of the public to identify Jones assailant.” The subsequent outcry has led to discussion of a reward for tips leading to the anonymous attacker’s successful arrest.
Council member McOsker called the video shocking and upsetting.
“Violence in our community is unacceptable – especially towards our children,” The Councilman said in a released statement. “I’ve spoken to law enforcement and I am expecting a speedy resolution so that justice can be served. If a reward is what it will take, then we will do that.”
McOsker said it was his understanding that the LAPD is investigating with good leads and urged anyone with information to come forward.
“If you know something, say something,” the councilman concluded.
Following the traumatic event, Jones’s mother reflected, “It had to be an animal … that would attack a 13 year old. Someone mentally disturbed … If anyone knows this lady, please turn her in.”