Isaias Quinones, 40

                   

Isaias Quinones, 40, a Latino man who worked as an armed security guard, was fatally shot about 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 27, in a bank parking lot at 29th Street and Crenshaw Boulevard in Jefferson Park.

Quinones was approached by two black men in the parking lot at a Bank of America branch, said Officer Kate Lopez, a spokeswoman for the Los Angeles Police Department. She said there was an altercation and one of the men pulled out a gun and shot Quinones several times. The guard was taken by ambulance to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead, she said.

Lopez said it was unclear whether the two men were trying to rob the bank. Authorities reported that Quinones may have been shot with his own gun.  An employee at a nearby store said she saw two men bend down and grab something before fleeing on foot.

"It made me cry," she said. The guard "woke up thinking it's another day of work, another day of life."

Leticia Bellez, 36, who went to the bank with her 96-year-old grandmother to withdraw money before the Labor Day weekend, said she was stunned to hear of the killing.

"He was friendly and very courteous," she said. "He would always open the door for us."

Jimmie James, another bank patron, said his initial thought when he arrived at the bank was that the guard had killed someone. "Then I found out he was the one that got killed," he said.

"He was telling me the other day about how he was going to quit because he didn't feel safe," James said. 

This is the second fatal shooting involving an armed security guard. On Friday, April 18, Hernan Cardona, 60, was shot and killed outside an Auto Zone in Arlington Heights, just two miles from the bank. No arrests have been made in that shooting.

Anyone with information about the Quinones shooting is asked to call the 24-hour tip line (877) LAWFULL.

Photo: Above, the L.A. County Sheriff's Department's bloodhound team was called in to assist the Los Angeles Police Department with the investigation. At right, the guard's clothing lies on the ground where he was treated by paramedics.

—Ruben Vives / Los Angeles Times

Comments

[JOSE MONTES]

ISAIAS WAS MY BEST FREIND AND A TRUE MAN OF GOD .WE GREW UP TOGETHERE AND WE PREACHED TOGETHERE IN A EVANGELICAL TEAM CALLED CANDELLA WICH MEANS EXPLOSION POWER OF GOD I THANK THE LORD FOR ALLOWING ME TO WALK WITH ISAIAS .WE HAD MANY LAUGH WE SHARED MANY TEARS AS FREINDS WE ALWAYS CALLED EACH OTHER TO SEE IF EVERYTHING WAS ALRIGHT I KNOW GOD CALLED HIM HOME BECAUSE HE LIVED FOR AN HOUR AND FORTYFIVE MINUTES BEFORE PASSING AWAY . I HOPE THAT THE YOUNG MEN THAT TOOK HIS LIFE ARE MAN ENOUGH TO ADDMIT AND SURRENDER THEMSELFS YOU KILLED A FATHER A HUSBAND AND A TRUE FREIND TOMANY A HUMBLE MAN WHO WAS A MINISTER OF THE WORD OF GOD. LOVE YOU ISAIAS SEE YOU IN HEVEN.

[Wanda Salinas]

Isaias was laid to rest today! We rejoice in the fact that he made it! After 40 years of struggling in this world, he's finally home where he belongs! He will never be forgotten. Our prayers will continue to go out to his family. We pray for justice, but also for mercy. HOMBRE Y GRAN SIERVO DE DIOS, YOU'RE FINALLY HOME!!!!!

YOU'LL SURELY BE MISSED, BUT WE'LL SEE YOU AGAIN SOMEDAY!!

[Andrew]

First and by far most important, my sympathies go out to the family and friends of this murdered officer. I am sorry for your loss. I pray that the killers be brought swiftly to justice. No one deserves to die this way, especially not someone who devoted so much of their life to protecting others from violence.

Mr. H. Craig Bradley: I don't know where you are getting your information. It is simply not accurate. Please think about how insensitive your comments appear to the family and friends reading this blog.

Mr. Bradley said: >> "This guard would still be alive today, even if a bit bruised, if he were wearing a bullet proof vest (Kevlar)."

Bullet resistant vests are not a guarantee. They do not cover the entire torso and they can fail when struck. There are trade offs between weight and protection (UL IIA vs III vs IV). A bullet resistant vest (in a black carrier) that has been removed by paramedics is clearly visible in photos taken of the scene. This is NOT a subject that should be publicized.

>> No security guard I know of is paid enough for this.

Agreed. We do it anyway.

Banks in Southern California use a variety of methods to protect their customers and employees from armed robbery. Uniformed armed guards outside, off duty police officers in plainclothes posing as customers, undercover police officers paid and employed as bank tellers, unarmed guards outside and inside (now THAT is a dangerous job, they also need vests!)

>> Although not a robbery, this may have been a racially motivated gang killing (black on Mexican).

This speculation is premature and provocative. The slain officer is a hero whether he interrupted a would-be robbery, was slain by street punks who didn't like his face, or was on the wrong side of a gang initiation. It's simply too soon to call.

>> These jobs provide no training at all except to get state licensure

No company would take the liability of putting a person out in public with a firearm without any training. Any company doing only the minimum required by law (40 hours) should really think about the implications.

>> I asked a guard a couple of years ago at a branch ... what his pay was ...

Does anyone else think this is rude? Or perhaps none of the asker's business?

>> NO health care or retirement (pension). Limited vacation and no sick pay. No work, no pay. (NO DEAL!)

Sick pay is an industry issue that needs to be addressed as many clients will not pay for it. Most armed companies offer health benefits and vacation. (Just glance through CalJobs or the hiring boards at security training schools if you don't believe me.) My present employer offers $50K of life insurance and a 401K.

The focus at this time must be on the grieving family. The industry association "CALSAGA" is taking up a collection.

http://www.calsaga.org/public/news/wackenhutofficerslain.html

To my fellows in the industry: stay safe out there! Again, my sympathies to the family in their time of grief.

[Zoila Gutierrez]

Isaias was a man of Honor he ment a lot to us. He was part of the family. We will always remember him and will keep him in our prayer's and in our hearts. Godbless him and his family.

[Chachi Cord]

I will miss you Isaias! I know you are busy talking with Jesus. I love you man! God bless and strengthen your wife and your daughter. You were a great friend. I admired you as a man of God. I know you are wishing these two thugs will know Jesus like you do, and we will be praying they do! Your Sister in Christ, Chachi C.

[Elsie Vasquez]

Funeral Services for Isaias Quinonez will be on Thursday, September 4, 2008 @ 5 pm
for more information please e-mail or call 323 2634611

[Fam. Varela]

Our deepest sympathy goes out to the relatives of Brother Isaias. We will always keep his memory close to our heart.

[J and M Gudiel]

ISAIAS QUINONES was a good friend of my husband he was a very kind man and always so positive with a smile on his face he will be Missed .our prayers go out to his family

[paredes july]

ISAIAS WAS A CLOSE FRIEND TO THE PAREDES FAMALY HE WAS A MAN OF GOD EVERITIME HE PREACH IN MY CHURCH THE POWER OF GOD WILL COME AND FILT MY HEART.KEEP STRONG WIFE AND DAUGHTHER LOVE JULI

[Kizmet]

My heart goes out to the Quinones family and other loved ones. Though I didn't know him well, I had the pleasure of meeting him when he worked in the downtown la branch. I'm an employee there and we shared really cool conversations. He was a really kind, sweet person who wasn't afraid of working hard, and his positive energy was infectous. He is surely missed!

[Silvia Maldonado]

My condolences to the family of Isaias Quiñonez. I know that at the moment sometimes we don't understand why horrible tragedies like this happen but within time God will reveal his purpose and plans. May God Strengthen and Comfort his wife and daughter and the rest of the family members. My prayers are with you.

[Lisa Rodriguez]

I grew up with Isaias Quinones when we were all just kids in my grandparents church. My heart goes out to his wife, daughter, his mother, his brothers and sisters. This is truly a tragedy that did not have to happen & my prayers are with everyone. Isaias was a man of GOD and would never hurt anybody. May his family find peace knowing he is in the arms of the Lord and in a better place.

[F Rodriguez]

Please e mail funeral details and name of church where Isaiah congrgated. Thank you.

[Ev. Tony Alvarez]

My most deepest condolences to the Quiñones family. I personally didnt know brother Isaias but I have been hearing some really GREAT things about him. If anyone can email me with information on funeral services I would greatly appreciate it. I would like pay tribute to a Man of God such as Isaias Quiñones. Blessings

[Mervin Salazar]

im sorry of your husbands death,i really am

[Grace]

Years ago I worked as an administrative assistant for Wackenhut and I do recall that armed guards were offered bullet proof vest. My most sincere condolences to the Quinones family.

[Checo & Wanda Salinas]

Isaiah was part of our family since we were teens. I can't beleive that this happened and that he's no longer with us. I know that he's in a better place, but it was too soon for him to go!! I know God has everything in control, even if we don't understand why these things happen. Our prayers are with you, Lupita and with your daughter. We will always love you Isaiah, and you'll forever be in our hearts!!

[Rev. Quinones]

I would like to thank every person that had something good to say about my brother Isaias. He will be missed.
Thank You

[SONIA GUTIERREZ]

ISAIAS QUINONES WAS A CLOSE FRIEND TO OUR FAMILY. HE WAS A MAN OF GOD WHO PREACHED HIS WORD TO ALOT OF PEOPLE. HE WAS VERY LOVED IN OUR FAMILY AND WE WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER HIM AND WILL NEVER FORGET HIM. NOW WE KNOW HE IS IN A BETTER PLACE. HOPE THAT THE 2 PEOPLE THAT KILLED HIM WILL WE FOUND AND PROSECUTED

[Mike Wood]

My condolences to the family of the victim. Stay strong and keep your head up.

[Rick]

I heard that this security officer killed worked for Wackenhut. I always thought they were one of the better security companies out there, I guess I was wrong. It is sad this happened to this man I heard he was a nice and friendly. Why was he targetted like this where they after his gun or trying to rob the bank. A vest might have saved him or maybe not, it all depends on shot placement and luck. Like everthing else, it all boils down to money. These security companies don't want the expense of paying for vest and health insurance. You have to take upon yourself to go to training and buy the proper equipment if you want to do this type of work.

[nikki]

This is so sad. Man , it is not that serious. Times are hard but gosh. Some people have such dirty character. I always wonder what kind of a childhood people that kill had. I dont know the situation here but it just makes you shake your head. It is so common now. Nobody deserves this. I wonder if the ones who did are actually now thinking that they went too far. Just someone trying to struggle and work and gets killed on the job. It continues to amaze me how people take other people from life and loved ones in a heartbeat. I will pray for his family.

[Dave M.]

I have been doing security for 14 years and what I've learned is that some companies are only concerned with one thing: "PROFIT". But if these companies offered additional training besides what required by the CA. Dept of Consumer Affairs/BSIS. And offered body armour and other duty equipment. These officers would be competent in doing the duties ask of them. Even with an employee/company reimbursement program the company does'nt lose money. Because the officer can make payments deducted from there payroll. And pay these officers there fair due. These companies know security officers are a dime a dozen. If you lose one, another is coming in. So they pay these people the minimum of wages. And know one shows a security officer any respect until something happens or they need one. So I would like to send my condolence to Mr. Quinones Family & Friends. God Bless

[Eye in the Sky]

If you look closely at the picture, there is a security camera on the upper right hand side of the building almost facing directly at the pile of clothes on the ground. Surely this camera caught the shooting as it was happening and hopefully the cops will find out who these thugs are and they will be prosecuted. I say they should get a visit with Ol' Sparky!!!

[H. Craig Bradley]

One consideration, none of the Bank of America contract security officers (armed) I have talked with as a customer wear a bullet proof vest (Kevlar). In contrast, most armored car carriers either give one to the employee or provide a discount to purchase one on their own.

Unfortunately, Bank of America's security contractor, Wackenhut, does not generally provide bullet proof vests (Kevlar) to it's armed guards at Bank of America in Southern California, or anywhere else I have ever been.

This guard would still be alive today, even if a bit bruised, if he were wearing a bullet proof vest (Kevlar). And for about $12.00/hour with NO benefits or job security. You can be fired with no notice or loose your job if the client contracts for security elsewhere for a lower price. Pretty sad!