Oakland hospital security guard shot dead after dispute

A security guard at Highland Hospital in Oakland was shot and killed over the weekend not long after he was confronted at the hospital, KTVU has learned.

Curtis Haynes, 28, was shot near 84th Avenue and International Boulevard shortly after 7 p.m. Saturday. He died at the scene.

"He was trying to stop violence and ended up, you know, losing his life to violence," said a relative of Haynes who did not want her name used. 

Haynes had worked as a guard at the hospital, helping to keep the peace. Highland is a trauma center where Oakland's gunshot victims come in for treatment, and where tensions can be high.

His loved ones never imagined that Haynes would end up being a gunshot victim himself.

"If he was in the middle of any type of confrontation, he wanted the best for everyone," the relative said. "It's just hard. It's just hard and you know, you can never lean on your own understanding, but this is just something, it's hard to understand."

KTVU has learned Haynes was targeted in a confrontation at the hospital earlier Saturday in a dispute involving a woman. 

KTVU has also learned a 24-year-old woman was taken into custody by Oakland police. But she's since been released without any charges, pending an ongoing investigation.

That Haynes died as a result of violence while working to broker peace on the job, is almost too much to bear for his family.

"To fall victim for something like this, it's just devastating for the family, but I will say he was a good person," the relative said.

Haynes leaves behind a son who is about to turn a year old. Haynes lost his father, also named Curtis, to illness in August.

"If there's people that know anything, you know, say something, you know what I'm saying? And if not, just pray for justice, that justice be done for him," the relative said.

In a statement, Alameda Health System, which operates Highland Hospital said, "We are deeply saddened by the death of Curtis Haynes, a father and a security guard who was contracted to work for Alameda Health System. Curtis was passionate about serving the community and shared with his co-workers that he hoped to one day become a police officer. Our hearts go out to his family, friends, and colleagues."

Henry Lee is a KTVU crime reporter. E-mail Henry at Henry.Lee@fox.com and follow him on Twitter @henrykleeKTVU and www.facebook.com/henrykleefan

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