Los Angeles liquor store worker dies after teenagers hit him in head with scooter

Authorities say a Los Angeles liquor store clerk, who was attacked by a group of teens over a case of beer on Thursday, has died of a head wound he sustained during the incident.

The Los Angeles Police Department said the attack was reported around 8 p.m. Thursday outside Tony’s Market in Highland Park, according to Fox 11.

Investigators said a group of teenagers, two boys and two girls between the ages of 15 and 18, entered the liquor store and attempted to steal various items, including a case of beer.

Steven Reyes, a 68-year-old Filipino immigrant who was working as a clerk that night, confronted the rowdy group and followed them outside, where one teen struck him in the head with a scooter.

Bystanders who witnessed the attack said the suspects ran away with the case of beer. Some rushed to Reyes’ aid to help before an ambulance arrived.

He was taken to the hospital where he died, reports Fox 11. He leaves behind four children and one grandchild.

One daughter, Kaycie Reyes, told Fox 11 that she had trouble wrapping her head around how someone could “lose a life over a case of beer.”

"When I first got the news I wasn't upset at the people unfortunately, I was more upset at my dad for risking his life for something he knew wasn't his or didn't own the business. But he has such good work ethics, that he was such a good employee. He did what he had to do," said his other daughter Nelle Reyes.

His family said Reyes worked at the store a couple days a week to help his mother. They created a GoFundMe to cover funeral expenses.

The investigation is ongoing. Security camera video has been provided to police but no description of the suspects has yet been released.

Reyes’ death is the latest death at a Los Angeles small business. The owner of a wig shop in the city’s Fashion District was stabbed to death on Oct. 1.