San Francisco store clerk dies after thief beats him with baseball bat, steals beer

Yowhannes "John" Tewelde, 60, died at a local hospital on Tuesday after suffering a major brain injury during the attack. He never regained consciousness and the unidentified suspect remains at large, according to the New York Post.

Tewelde, who a neighbor says was "loved by the community," was brutally beaten by a thief with a baseball bat while working at the Balboa Street store around 9:30 pm Thursday.

According to police, the suspect had shoplifted water from the store ten minutes before returning to steal two bottles of beer. Tewelde had confronted the suspect with a baseball bat, in which the suspect had taken the bat from Tewelde and knocked him to the ground, causing the store clerk to hit his head.

Surveillance footage shows the suspect striking Tewelde over the head with the bat before fleeing the store, according to the outlet.

Tewelde’s daughter, Meron, told KTVU that her father had recently become a United States citizen and despite having heart surgery in March, Tewelde couldn't wait to return to work because he loved his job.

"Right after his heart surgery, he didn't wait to go back to work because he wanted to be there," Meron said. "There's something about that community he loves. He loves everyone there."

Meron said that while she wished her "loyal" and "trustworthy" father had not intervened, he did so because "he treated that store like it was his."

"It makes no sense why he would try to stop that guy," Meron told KPIX. "If that was me, I would have let him steal whatever he wanted to steal. But my dad has such honor."

Shaina Prasad, a regular customer at the store, wrote about her memories with Tewelde on his GoFundMe page, saying, "He had so much love for me and my dog."

"Every time we went in it felt like I was chatting with a family member and felt so loved. Whenever I’d walk home alone at night I felt safe knowing John was in the store," she wrote. "I'm so saddened by his passing and my heart goes out to his cat, Nancy, and his family."

Molly Clark, another frequent visitor of the store, wrote: "John always was a friendly and positive presence in the neighborhood. Never without a smile on his face when you entered the store. His smile after a long and challenging day of work always made me smile."

"My deepest condolences to his family for this senseless act," she added. "John will not be forgotten."

A vigil for Tewelde is planned for Thursday night outside the Balboa Street market. Donations can be made to the family here.