*In a case that has shocked and outraged the local community, Ariana Lauifi, 32, is set to be sentenced for her unprovoked assault on 13-year-old honor roll student Kassidy Jones. The attack took place in a Los Angeles area McDonald’s on September 6, 2023, leaving Kassidy and her family traumatized and in search of justice.
Angelina Looney, Kassidy’s mother, alongside family members, can finally find some measure of closure with the upcoming sentencing of Lauifi. The brutal nature of the attack left no doubt about the necessity for accountability. As Angelina states, “There’s never a reason for an adult to viciously attack a child.”
What intensified the horror for Kassidy was the nature of the assault – entirely unprovoked, with Lauifi loudly declaring, “I beat kids,” before forcibly attacking Kassidy in the Harbor City, CA restaurant. Disturbingly, no one intervened to stop the beating, and McDonald’s staff did not assist.
Initially, Lauifi falsely claimed self-defense, lying to her supporters and concocting a story that was never substantiated by witnesses or video evidence. After the assault, rather than awaiting police arrival, Lauifi fled the scene, erased her social media presence, and went into hiding for three weeks before being apprehended. One could only conclude that such actions starkly contrast with those of an innocent individual.
With Lauifi’s guilty plea, the true events of that distressing day have been laid bare. She has admitted to her horrific choices and the impact they had on Kassidy. Despite the gravity of her actions, Lauifi seemed more concerned about the embarrassment of admitting the truth to her family and community, resorting instead to blaming the young victim.
This case echoed troubling moments in history where African-American victims like Latasha Harlins, Rodney King, Trayvon Martin, George Floyd, and others were unjustly criminalized and blamed for the violence inflicted upon them. Kassidy’s case is a painful reminder of such injustices. Lauifi’s supporters launched a disgraceful campaign of gaslighting and character assassination against an innocent child who was already suffering from a violent, virally documented beating.
Community activist Najee Ali, spokesman for the Jones family and Director of Project Islamic Hope, urges those who wrongly supported Lauifi to offer Kassidy a public apology.
“These activists allowed their personal feelings to cloud their judgment and neglected their duty to defend and protect our most vulnerable members of society—our children,” Ali stated.
Ali emphasizes that he bears no ill will towards his fellow activists, Lauifi, or her supporters, expressing a profound commitment to defending children who fall victim to violence— a mission he vows to uphold to his last breath. “There are no winners in this case,” he said. “Ariana is now a convicted child beater, and Kassidy continues to suffer emotionally, undergoing counseling.”
As Lauifi faces sentencing on Thursday, August 22, at 8:30 AM in Long Beach Superior Court, there is hope that this case will begin the healing process for the community. Ariana Lauifi will hopefully receive the anger management and counseling she needs while the community works toward unity and reconciliation, leaving behind this tragic event.
Details for Sentencing:
Date: Thursday, August 22
Time: 8:30 AM
Location: Long Beach Superior Court
Address: 275 Magnolia Ave, Long Beach, CA 91802
Courtroom: 6
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