Good Samaritan stabbed to death in Berwyn grocery store after intervening in attack

A Good Samaritan was stabbed and killed Friday morning at a Berwyn grocery store after he attempted to intervene in an attack, police said.

Humberto Guzman, 32, of Justice, died shortly after the incident, which took place at approximately 10:15 a.m. at Valle’s Produce, 6323 Cermak Road.

When police arrived, they found a man lying on the floor near the check-out area suffering from multiple stab wounds. Police were directed to a nearby alley when they located another victim who also was stabbed in an attempt to stop the offender, police said.

The attack reportedly was preceded by an argument that started when a teenage girl approached her mother, a cashier, and asked about the price of a bottle of water. A man accused the girl of cutting in the checkout line, started swearing and then punched the 14-year-old girl in the face several times, according to Berwyn Police Department news release.

Guzman tried to intervene but the suspect pulled a knife out of his pocket and stabbed the him several times, police said.

The woman, her daughter and a store employee chased the man out of the building and called for help. Another person tried to stop the man, and that person was also stabbed in the stomach, police said. The individual was treated at an area hospital. The teenage girl who was attacked in the incident also was treated at a hospital for her injuries, police said.

Guzman was transported to an area hospital where he died a short time later.

Police said the suspect was later found sitting on a porch with what appeared to be the knife used in the stabbing.

Berwyn Police Chief Michael Cimaglia said the incident was captured in what he described as a “horrific video” from inside the store.

“You know, it’s a bad situation,” Cimaglia said. “You’re a good Samaritan, you’re there to help people. You try to do the right thing and something tragic, very unfortunate... like this happens.”

Berwyn police had interviewed the suspect late Friday afternoon, but he had not been charged. Police said they were in contact with the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office regarding the incident.