HELL’S KITCHEN, Manhattan (WABC) — An investigation is underway after an employee at Morton Williams died after confronting a shoplifter in Friday night in Manhattan.
It happened at the store located at 917 Ninth Ave. near Columbus Circle just before 9:30 p.m.
Leobardo Hernandez, 64, collapsed after the incident and was pronounced dead at Mount Sinai West on Friday night.
The father of four, including three sons and a daughter, worked at the Morton Williams in Hell’s Kitchen to help make ends meet.
His sons say he was punched in his chest by the suspect and then found later at work lying on a milk crate.
On Monday, two of the victim’s sons, Henry and Harold Hernandez, spoke out about his family’s unimaginable loss.
“Very lovable, very very kind-hearted…everybody he met, everybody ended up loving him because of the person he was,” Henry said.
They said their father was a hard-working man who rarely got angry.
“He was a family man, he was always there for us, very supportive,” Harold said. “He was just always happy. I’ve never seen him upset ever.”
An autopsy on Hernandez showed signs of a slightly enlarged heart, plaque and prior heart issues. Police are looking into whether stress from the incident contributed to his death.
The shoplifter ran away and has not yet been caught.
“We do have a lot of questions as well, what’s the actual story, that’s what we want to know, we heard different stories, trying put the pieces and puzzle together,” Harold said.
Police are not ruling out that the case could turn into a homicide investigation.
Morton Williams released the following statement:
“We are heartbroken by the loss of Leobardo Hernandez, our beloved colleague and a treasured member of our Morton Williams family. He was a dedicated team member for more than ten years, and our prayers are with Leo’s family and friends at this difficult time.”
Hernandez’s family has a GoFundMe to help with funeral costs.
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