Bay Area father Tyrone Griffin, Jr. was murdered in front of one of his children on Christmas Eve after two men were seen by witnesses attacking and stabbing the man in a Hayward, California Target store.
Someone was playing provocative music on a cell phone when Griffin asked the two men involved to turn it down, according to a witness account. Local KPIX5 News interviewed Griffin’s wife, Nicole Simmons, who said her husband asked the music-playing men, “Can you turn it down, my son is right here.” She said the two men then “rushed him.”
City of Hayword Police Sgt. Ruben Pola told reporters that the 36-year-old father of four was seen fighting with the men around 8 p.m. according to NBC Bay Area. According to a witness, the father had one of the men in a headlock when the other punched or stabbed Griffin several times. The witness said that Griffin lifted his shirt, revealing profuse bleeding before he went into shock in view of his child.
Police arrived on scene and found the gravely injured man. Tragically, although he was taken to Medical Center in Castro Valley, Griffin was pronounced dead.
The victim’s wife told KPIX5 that he was only at the Target because he wanted to get one more present for one of his children. Simmons recalled how much her husband loved Christmas and how very excited her husband was to see his kids open their gifts.
Frankie Archuleta, 22, and Jesse Archuleta, 25, were arrested shortly after the stabbing. Both are from Hayward. Jail records show that Frankie Archuleta has been charged with murder and grand theft of real property.
“Even though you blessed us with your short time on this earth, I truly thank God for you Tyrone cause you were more than our “last minute gift,” reads a portion of a GoFundMe page that appears to have been written by Simmons. “How do I explain to my children that their father will no longer be coming home.”
As of Wednesday, over $20,000 had been raised.
Follow Michelle Moons on Twitter @MichelleDiana