Guard shot, finishes shift but later dies

[n2doc]

Guard shot, finishes shift but later dies
By MICHELLE LOCKE, Associated Press Writer
Thursday, January 25, 2007

(01-25) 17:16 PST Oakland, Calif. (AP) --

Colleagues and even police were astonished by the case of a security guard who finished his shift and drove home after being mortally wounded by a stray bullet.

At home Demetrio Baltazar's 11-year-old son tried to help him put a bandage on his head, and then Baltazar's condition worsened, Oakland Police Sgt. Jim Rullamas said. Baltazar died Wednesday in the hospital.

"He knew that he was hurt," Rullamas said Thursday. "We have him on a surveillance video holding a towel to his head and cleaning up. I can't answer why he didn't call 911 or go to the doctor. I just don't know."

Investigators believe Baltazar, 59, was the random victim of a bullet from a shooting that took place nearby Sunday afternoon. That shooting, which resulted in injuries but no fatalities, was under investigation and did not appear to have any connection to Baltazar, Rullamas said.

"This is just a man who is a completely innocent victim," he said. "It's heart-wrenching."

Meanwhile, another guard called police after finding blood inside the security vehicle.

Friends and family didn't describe Baltazar as being "macho," or likely to shrug off a serious injury, Rullamas said. "Everybody said he's just a real friendly, dedicated kind of worker."

Reached at home, Baltazar's wife declined to comment. In addition to his wife, Baltazar left three sons, Rullamas said.

Officials at New York-based Guardsmark Security, Baltazar's employer, were "deeply saddened" by his death, said Stephen Kasloff, a company vice president. He said company officials are in touch with the family.

Gary Leviton, also a Guardsmark vice president, said he did not know exactly how long Baltazar had worked for the company but it had been some time. "He was very well-respected by his fellow security officers, by his supervisor," he said.

"This is a real loss to Guardsmark and a loss, obviously, to his family and friends but really a loss to the community as well," Leviton said. "This is a good guy."

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2007/01/25/state/n151810S07.DTL

[LisaM]

1. Let's guess. Our productive (i.e.) understaffed workforce?

Can't leave work without losing pay?

[Kingshakabobo]

3. Probably worried about a $1000 dollar emergency room visit.....

....and no health insurance... just a guess.

[xultar]

6. You are correct sir!

[WI_DEM]

2. the only thing I can think is that he didn't know how badly he was hurt

perhaps he didn't even realize he had been shot? but it is strange.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

It happens a lot.

People badly hurt feel embarassed and don't seek medical help.

It's up to other people to make sure that they do.

[Benhurst]

4. Did he have any health care coverage?

[ulysses]

5. shot in the head

Maybe he wasn't able to think clearly. Damn.

[Selatius]

7. Maybe he was afraid of his boss firing him even more than being shot?

I'm taking shots in the dark here.