Oklahoma prosecutors are seeking the death penalty against Anthony Gonzalez, 24, accusing him of a “heinous” and “cruel” killing of an 18-year-old 7-Eleven clerk and new mother who was working the overnight shift alone.
Authorities say Jaedynn Anthony, 18, who had a 1-year-old son, was attacked in October 2024 at a 7-Eleven in Oklahoma City. In a press release issued last week, the Oklahoma County District Attorney’s Office said Gonzalez robbed the store and then stabbed Anthony.
“After he had the money in hand, Gonzalez stabbed Jaedynn one time and left the store,” the DA’s office said.
Investigators said officers arrived around 2:45 a.m. and found Anthony dead. Prosecutors say Gonzalez fled with “less than $40” from the cash register.
Police previously said customers later entered the store and found Anthony in medical distress. Investigators reported that an unknown person had entered the store and stabbed her before running away on foot.
According to officials, surveillance video shows Gonzalez walking in, greeting Anthony, and briefly acting as if he intended to buy an item from behind the counter. A relative of the victim, Somer Goodgion, told local CBS affiliate KWTV that the greeting made the situation even more disturbing.
“She said hi to him, and he said hi to her when he came in the door,” Goodgion said. “The audacity the man had to say hi to her knowing what you’re about to do this young baby.”
Police say Gonzalez ordered Anthony to open the cash register and stabbed her once the till was open, then fled the store. He remained at large for several days before he was arrested by Oklahoma City Police and members of a U.S. Marshals task force.
After the arrest, Goodgion told KWTV that Gonzalez should face severe consequences and described the loss as devastating for the family.
A GoFundMe created for Anthony’s family describes her as a “bright light” and says she left behind her 1-year-old son, Brayden.
Goodgion also told KWTV that Anthony was not allowed to have a phone while working and that she had bought pepper spray for protection.
“What do you give these people to protect themselves?” Goodgion asked.
The district attorney’s office said it is pursuing the death penalty based on aggravating circumstances, describing the attack as “especially heinous” and “cruel.”
“Our office treats the decision to seek the death penalty with the utmost seriousness,” Oklahoma County District Attorney Vicki Zemp Behenna said. “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 has had a preliminary hearing on charges of first-degree murder and robbery with a dangerous weapon. He was ordered to stand trial and remains in custody on a $10 million bond. His next court date is scheduled for April 1.
