A 68-year-old liquor store clerk was fatally wounded Thursday night in Los Angeles while attempting to stop shoplifters from stealing a case of beer.
Steven Reyes, a Filipino immigrant who worked at Tony’s Market, confronted a group of teenagers—two teenage boys and two teenage girls, all between 15 and 18—at around 7 p.m. on Thursday as they attempted to steal various items, according to Los Angeles police.
Reyes was struck on the head with a Bird scooter several times by one of the males, knocking him unconscious, and the suspects ran off. People tried to help Reyes as he laid on the sidewalk outside the liquor store, but he later died at the hospital.
A GoFundMe page has been created by his family to pay for funeral expenses.
“Steven had a loving heart and cared for everyone and always made sure that his family was safe,” the fundraising page reads. “His work ethics were incredible and he worked so hard to be able to care and support his mother.”
A vigil is being held for Reyes today at 5 p.m. at Tony’s Market.