Transient Arrested In Fatal Stabbing Of Security Guard Joseph Gomez In Anaheim
ANAHEIM (CBSLA) — A transient was arrested Saturday on suspicion of fatally stabbing a Tustin man who was working in Anaheim as a security guard.
The victim, 46-year-old Joseph Paul Gomez, had only been on the job for a few weeks, according to his family.
"Still can't process it...it's like, is this for real? You don't think it's going to happen to you, to your family," Mercy Perez, the victim's relative said.
Gomez's family showed up to the parking lot where he was attacked, off Lincoln Avenue and Crescent Way. They placed prayer candles and balloons in the same spot paramedics found the 46-year-old just after 10 p.m. the night before.
"He was just doing his job. That's all he was doing. For someone to just come and hurt him for no reason, it's not right. We're grateful that the person was caught," Perez said.
Andrew Isaiah Godinez, 24, was taken into custody shortly after stabbing. According to Anaheim police, Godinez was arrested as he was trying to leave the scene.
Investigators are calling the attack unprovoked.
"It's just so shocking and sad that he's gone, especially since I just seen him recently," Ann Flores, another of the victim's relatives, said.
Police say the suspect is homeless and it's not clear if there was some sort of confrontation before the stabbing.
Gomez's daughter says her father was a funny man, who made friends easily and was a diehard Angels fan. Despite some personal troubles years ago, his family said that Gomez was on a good path, and they still can't understand why this happened.
Detectives are looking for any other witnesses to the stabbing or people who may have previously been in contact with Godinez. Anyone with information about him or the stabbing can call Anaheim police's Homicide Detail at (714) 321-3669.
