A 49-year-old California pizza delivery man who is believed to have stopped to help a 76-year-old victim being attacked in the street was shot and killed, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department said Wednesday.
“He was helping the right person but maybe the wrong people were present and it just didn’t go in his favor,” the victim’s son, Ivan Cristalinas, said.
Ivan says his dad, 49-year old Juan Cristalinas, was always putting others first, and he isn’t surprised that Juan would jump in to help someone in trouble.
Deputies responded to the 7000 block of Lessue Avenue in Stanton at 7:21 p.m. and found two gunshot wound victims in the street.
Juan Cristalinas was believed to be delivering a pizza when he saw a 76-year-old being attacked by four men, and he stopped to help.
They were both shot, authorities said.
Cristalinas and the older man were taken to the hospital where Cristalinas was declared dead, authorities said.
Four attackers ran from the crime scene, witnesses told deputies.
The other victim was in stable condition at the hospital, Sgt. Todd Hylton said.
“This is a tragic incident,” Hylton said. “It appears that the pizza delivery man, Mr. Cristalinas, was trying to be a good Samaritan and lost his life trying to assist another person.”
There was no detailed description of the gunmen.
Investigators were reviewing video surveillance in the area to find clues.
“Unfortunately, Mr. Cristalinas paid with his life,” Hylton said.
Flowers and candles were left at the entrance to the Domino’s in the area.
Anyone with information on the case is asked to contact the Orange County Sheriff’s Department at (714) 647-7000. Anonymous tippers can contact 1-855-TIP-OCCS.
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