Community reacts to killing of 7-Eleven security guard in Oakland: 'Dude was a good man!'

OAKLAND, Calif. (KGO) -- A security guard at an Oakland 7-Eleven was shot and killed Friday night while trying to stop someone from stealing from the store.

Sunday flowers could be seen outside of the 7-Eleven in memory of that security guard.

"Dude was a good dude, man. He was just friendly with everybody, talked to everybody you know. He looked out for the store," said J.D. Harvey who often shops at the 7-Eleven.

Oakland police said they were called just before 10:15 p.m. Friday night to a business on the 2300 block of Harrison Street -- the store at Harrison and 27th. The 7-Eleven is in sight of the Diocese of Oakland, across the street from Whole Foods and blocks away from Lake Merritt.

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Officers located the guard who had been shot inside the store. Paramedics arrived and tried providing medical treatment, but the guard died at the scene.

Investigators said the guard was attempting to stop someone from stealing items from the store. The suspect pulled a gun and fired a round at the guard before fleeing the scene in a vehicle.

"It just sucks man, cause it just like, happened right here, so I live up the street and when I heard about it, I was kind of disappointed about it," said Sergio Tapia who often goes to the store.

We spoke with those who would often see the security guard in the store. They say while he was friendly, he also wouldn't stand for theft.

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J.R. STONE: "So you think whoever stole or was trying to steal something, it wasn't the first time. You think somebody came back?"

J.D. HARVEY: "Yeah, there was more to it, there was more to it. Guarantee it, because that was just too random."

Our crew spoke with a friend of the security guard who told us his buddy would often step in and stop people from stealing items at the 7-Eleven. That friend told us off camera that the security guard's life had been threatened at least one time.

This marks the second time in a week that someone was fatally shot at an Oakland 7-Eleven, the other happened at 5th and International last Monday.

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"It's also a product of boredom. These kids are bored man, and so they just want to come out and do stuff. It's sad that they don't take in account how valuable your life is. It's just stupid, it's sad," Tapia said.

"Take a life over something so petty just because you're mad or whatever reason it is. It's just a sad, sad day," Harvey said.

Police haven't said if this security guard was armed at the time of this incident but those in the community tell us in the past he was armed with a gun when they saw him inside the store.

Police said Sunday the victim's identity is being withheld, pending notification to next of kin.

Police ask anyone with information about the killing to contact the department's homicide section at (510) 238-3821or the tip line at (510) 238-7950.

Bay City News contributed to this report.

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