California crime claimed the life of a 60-year-old clerk after his attempt to use a baseball bat to deter a thief left him with a traumatic brain injury.
(Video: KPIX)
Thursday in the Richmond District of San Francisco, Yowhannes “John” Tewolde was working at the Richmond Market when a man allegedly entered the store and stole some water. Roughly 10 minutes later, the owner told KTVU, the suspect returned to steal two beers but found the clerk waiting with a baseball bat.
Tewolde’s effort to scare off the suspect tragically backfired as the alleged thief was said to have knocked down the clerk, who struck his head on the ground before the bat was turned against him.
Speaking with KPIX, the victim’s daughter Meron Tewolde said “the neighbors heard something going on. She came, called 911, was there holding his hand until he got to the hospital.”
According to a crowdfunding page initially set up to help with recovery and to support the family, the clerk had been in the ICU fighting for his life. Reports indicated that he had been in a coma, and on Tuesday, an update notified the public that he had succumbed to his injuries.
— Tekle Asmarino (@RMERI214) August 29, 2023
“…Tewolde passed away in the SF General Hospital ICU today at 1:58pm,” read the post. “John was a beloved member of the community and even more loved by his family and friends. The family has asked me to relay their gratitude for your continued support and asks that your prayers go out for John and his family.”
The decedent’s daughter had relayed a similar sentiment before her father passed and said to KPIX he was a “loyal, trustworthy person. He treated that store like it was his. It makes no sense why he would try to stop the guy. If that was me, I would have let him steal whatever he wanted to steal. But my dad has such honor.”
Months earlier, Tewolde had obtained his U.S. citizenship and in March he had undergone heart surgery. Despite offers to help, his daughter said the clerk chose not to rest.
“Who works seven days a week when you don’t need to work? He just got out of surgery,” she explained. “I told him not to work, I have a job, I can support them. He puts me through college, so I can help them out. He still works, and then this happens. This makes no sense.”
Community members expressed their own fondness for the victim and a sign had been posted outside the store that read, “Praying 4 ur full recovery and justice John,” with love to him and the store cat, Nancy. A community vigil was planned for Aug. 31 outside the store.
Authorities indicated that no arrests had been made in connection to the ongoing investigation as the San Francisco Police Department sought information on the suspect seen in the surveillance video.
Meanwhile, amid the rampant crime in the Bay Area, members of the public pointed blame for the senseless tragedy to San Francisco Mayor London Breed.
@LondonBreed When are you going to fix your policies?
How many more people have to die??
You have blood in your hands!Rest in Peace #yowhannestewelde pic.twitter.com/GRA42oym7A
— Socco (@Socco17) August 30, 2023
Yes, shame on the murderer. But also shame on us for letting crime in our city get so out of control. Shame on us for letting dangerous, mentally unstable people shoplift and steal with impunity and no consequences. It’s a long wicked web of naïve and foolhardy policies that…
— Mark Dietrich (@markdietrichsf) August 30, 2023
This is against the narrative of the Progressives. It will be ignored and explained away.
— Mark Voss (@MarkVos64105000) August 30, 2023
Native of Brooklyn, NY, Kevin Haggerty is a graduate of Hunter College where he studied Cultural Anthropology and Geography. An avid reader and truth seeker, he currently resides in Texas with his wife and their dog and, when he isn't researching current events and their impacts, you'll find him spending time with friends and family or working on his next novel.
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