Pizza delivery driver shot and killed while trying to help assault victim in Stanton, deputies say
According to family members, they were notified by Domino's Pizza that he never returned from the last delivery he was sent to.
STANTON, Calif. (KABC) -- A Domino's Pizza delivery driver who apparently stopped to help a victim during an assault in Stanton was shot and killed, according to authorities, and the suspects are now on the run.
According to the Orange County Sheriff's Department, deputies were sent to the 7000 block of Lessue Avenue for reports of "trouble" Tuesday night.
When they arrived, deputies found 49-year-old Juan Cristalinas of Santa Ana and an unidentified 76-year-old man in the street with several gunshot wounds.
Cristalinas apparently stopped to assist the man, investigators said.
"We were notified by Domino's that my father in law never returned from the last delivery he was sent to and was missing for a few hours," read a description on a GoFundMe account created for Cristalinas. "... My father in law died trying to do the right thing and unfortunately paid a very high price for it."
Both men were rushed to the hospital, but Cristalinas died shortly after. The unidentified assault victim is expected to survive, according to authorities.
"It's true you never know when someone is not going to come back," said the victim's son, Ivan Cristalinas.
Ivan Cristalinas spoke with Eyewitness News on Wednesday and said he's grateful he shared a few laughs with his father, hours before deputies said he was killed.
"A lot of people would describe him as serious and kind of scary looking, because, you know, he's kind of big and had no hair," he said with a smile. "But he had the biggest heart. It's safe to say that what he did is actually what describes him the most, because he would go out of his way to help somebody."
The customer who ordered the pizza said she thought she heard fireworks.
"They'd been shooting the illegal ones ... I had heard three, Boom! Boom! Boom!" said Sally Gomez Cox.
Deputies said multiple suspects fled the scene. Based on witness statements, the suspects are believed to be four Hispanic or white men.
The relationship between the injured victim and suspects is unknown.
According to Juan Cristalinas' GoFundMe, he leaves behind a wife, three sons, and three grandchildren.
He worked two jobs to make ends meet and was going to turn 50 years old in a few months. His family said he was always making time for those he loved.
"We're never going to forget, but we will definitely heal from this," said Ivan Cristalinas.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the Orange County Sheriff's Department at 714-647-7000. You can also submit an anonymous tip through Orange County Crime Stoppers at 1-855-TIP-OCCS.
