Leo Gillick
It’s generally advisable to keep your nose out of people’s crimes, as one New York employee found out when they died after confronting a shop lifter.
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A 64-year-old man working in Hell’s Kitchen, Manhattan, has died after being punched in the chest by a shop lifter. Leobardo Hernandez was working at his job in Morton Williams when he confronted the criminal.
One Punch: The worker caught the shop lifter helping themselves to items at 917 Ninth Ave. Columbus Circle store. When the perp was pulled up, they lashed out at the employee. The punch to the chest knocked him to the ground. Taking their chance, the criminal escaped.
- Although at the time, Hernandez seemed to be okay, later he was found lying on some crates. His heart had given out from the impact. His family and colleagues were devastated to discover the news.
- It was found, during the autopsy, that he had a slightly enlarged heart, plaque, and prior heart issues. It was an unlucky incident that finally triggered his heart problems. The shop lifter, in an attempt to get away, had killed the worker.
- Police have not ruled out homicide, but the criminal is still at large.
Grieving family
The family and friends of the New York employee who lost his life to a shop lifter have shared their words of sadness. It was a complete shock to his colleagues and friends. The unhappy incident took them all by surprise.
- “We are heartbroken by the loss of Leobardo Hernandez, our beloved colleague and a treasured member of our Morton Williams family. He was a dedicated team member for more than ten years, and our prayers are with Leo’s family and friends at this difficult time,” Morton Williams shared.
Police are also on the hunt for the shop lifter. At present, it is unclear if it will be treated as a homicide. The push wasn’t intended to be fatal. It just so happened that the employee had underlying heart problems.
One of his sons has also spoken out about the death of their father. “We do have a lot of questions as well. What’s the actual story? That’s what we want to know. We heard different stories, trying to put the pieces of the puzzle together.”
