Police in California on Thursday were searching for a group of suspects wanted for fatally shooting a pizza delivery driver, who was helping another gunshot victim at the time of the attack.
Authorities in Orange County were responding to reports of “trouble” in the area on Tuesday when they discovered two men bleeding and wounded in the street. Both victims, an unidentified 76-year-old and 49-year-old Juan Cristalinas, were rushed to a nearby hospital, where Cristalinas later died from his wounds.
Police believe that Cristalinas, a delivery driver for Dominos, was working when he saw an attack unfold and then attempted to intervene.
“Preliminary information indicates Mr. Cristalinas is a pizza delivery driver who may have stopped to assist the other victim during an assault,” police said in a press release on Wednesday.
According to those who witnessed the incident, four people fled the scene in wake of the gunfire. No suspects have been named.
Daniela Trevilla, Cristalinas’ daughter-in-law, in a GoFundMe page aimed at raising funds for funeral expenses, called him a “hardworking, loving man,” who also worked as mechanic on the weekends.
“My father in law died trying to do the right thing and unfortunately paid a very high price for it. Juan leaves behind 3 sons, a loving wife, and 3 beautiful grandchildren,” she wrote.
“He was the kind of person who always stood up for others and wasn’t scared of doing the right thing. Although we are proud of how brave his last act of kindness is, we are all devastated and completely broken with this loss.”
The second person shot remains in stable condition, according to NBC Los Angeles.
Anyone with information on the case is asked to contact the Orange County Sheriff’s Department at (714) 647-7000. Anonymous tips may also be left with Orange County Crime Stoppers at 1-855-TIP-OCCS.
