OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – Prosecutors in Oklahoma are pursuing the death penalty in the case of a 24-year-old man accused of killing a teenage convenience store employee during a late-night robbery that yielded just a small sum of cash.

Authorities allege that Anthony Gonzalez fatally stabbed Jaedynn Anthony, 18, who was working alone at a 7-Eleven in Oklahoma City in October 2024. Anthony, the mother of a one-year-old boy, was reportedly robbed of less than $40 before her death.

Police were called to the store around 2:45 a.m., where they discovered Anthony unresponsive behind the counter. Investigators say she had suffered a single stab wound during the encounter and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Surveillance footage examined by law enforcement documented Gonzalez entering the store and greeting Anthony. The video then revealed a brief conversation followed by Gonzalez demanding the cash register be opened. After Anthony complied, she was stabbed and Gonzalez fled the scene, according to police reports.

In the hours following the attack, customers entering the store found Anthony in critical condition and called for help, officials said. However, emergency responders could not revive her.

Gonzalez’s whereabouts were unknown for several days after the incident. A search by local police and federal marshals led to his arrest and subsequent charge of murder in connection with Anthony’s death.

Family members of the victim described Anthony as a devoted mother working overnight shifts to support her young child. Relatives expressed deep sorrow over the loss, calling it senseless and tragic.

Officials from the Oklahoma County District Attorney’s Office have described the crime as “especially heinous,” citing the severity of the attack and the vulnerability of the victim. Due to these factors, prosecutors have announced their intention to seek capital punishment.

The case has raised renewed concerns in the local community about overnight staffing and safety measures for employees working alone. Some advocates have called for increased protections and better security practices at late-night businesses.

Gonzalez remains in custody as he awaits trial. Prosecutors continue to prepare their case while the community mourns the loss of a young mother whose life was cut short during a routine shift.