An attack at a McDonald’s in Boyle Heights leaves a woman brain dead and the suspect faces only a misdemeanor charge

LOS ANGELES (KABC) — A woman is on life support after trying to help her husband during an attack at a McDonald’s in Boyle Heights.

Surveillance video shows a man, later identified as Charles Green Jr., attacking Jose Rangel in the restaurant’s drive-thru on March 9.

Rangel’s wife, Maria Luna – who the family says is partially blind – got out of the car to help her husband.

“As she reached down to sense who was on top or to try to pull the man down… the man pushed her with his body and caused her to fall. She hit her head. And because of that, she had a heart attack,” said Veronica Rangel, Maria Luna’s stepdaughter.

A few days ago, Maria Luna was taken back to the hospital and placed on life support.

The family said doctors told them Monday night that Maria Luna was brain dead.

Her heartbroken family is upset that the suspect who attacked Jose is only being charged with assault.

“They said they couldn’t hold anything against the man because he didn’t push her intentionally,” said Veronica Rangel. “Even though everything that happened was because he approached my father and beat him up.”

Victim advocate and former LAPD detective Moses Castillo says, “We’re asking the DA’s office to re-investigate this, or a third time, or whatever it may be.” I really hope you get all the facts, watch the video. Look at the evidence and the fact that we now have a dead victim.

We reached out to the LA County District Attorney’s Office but did not receive a response.

The family has set up a GoFundMe account to help cover medical costs and, unfortunately, the funeral.