Shot hotel bellman: 'It scared me so much'
SEATTLE -- Roberto Sandoval still can't believe it happened.
The sound of the gunfire echoed off hotel windows and the walls of the federal courthouse last Friday morning. Moments later, the Mayflower Hotel bellman found himself facing a masked man.
"When the guy turns around, I see the mask and it scared me so much. What the hell is that?" he said.
Sandoval chased the man for blocks, then wrestled with him. The masked man pulled the trigger, hitting Sandoval in the arm.
"I hear the three shootings and oh my, I know the guy killed me," said Sandoval.
But before the worst could happen, a group of men piled on top of the gunman. One of them was Harwood Parker.
"It took approximately seven of us to get the cuffs on him," said Parker, who was a block away when he heard the shots.
Today he's back to selling Real Change newspapers. he didn't hesitate to jump into the fray; his personal safety was a secondary concern. He wanted to protect his neighborhood.
"These people have stuck with me through times when I was really down and out," he said.
As for Sandoval, he is slowly back on the mend. He has good mobility on his hand. His arm is still in pain, and he is taking a good amount of pain medicine. But he is expected to fully recover.
And his wife is relieved the worst didn't happen.
"I'll only say, 'Thank you, God' because my husband is here," said Lebaci Sandoval.
The suspected gunman is due in court on Oct. 8.
The sound of the gunfire echoed off hotel windows and the walls of the federal courthouse last Friday morning. Moments later, the Mayflower Hotel bellman found himself facing a masked man.
"When the guy turns around, I see the mask and it scared me so much. What the hell is that?" he said.
Sandoval chased the man for blocks, then wrestled with him. The masked man pulled the trigger, hitting Sandoval in the arm.
"I hear the three shootings and oh my, I know the guy killed me," said Sandoval.
But before the worst could happen, a group of men piled on top of the gunman. One of them was Harwood Parker.
"It took approximately seven of us to get the cuffs on him," said Parker, who was a block away when he heard the shots.
Today he's back to selling Real Change newspapers. he didn't hesitate to jump into the fray; his personal safety was a secondary concern. He wanted to protect his neighborhood.
"These people have stuck with me through times when I was really down and out," he said.
As for Sandoval, he is slowly back on the mend. He has good mobility on his hand. His arm is still in pain, and he is taking a good amount of pain medicine. But he is expected to fully recover.
And his wife is relieved the worst didn't happen.
"I'll only say, 'Thank you, God' because my husband is here," said Lebaci Sandoval.
The suspected gunman is due in court on Oct. 8.
Great work, I'd say too bad Mr Sandoval wasn't carrying a concealed pistol and would have been able to end the threat before he was shot. Either way, more people like him who are willing to stand up and do what's right is what is needed instead of just standing by and saying "Not my problem". Bravo. Hope you heal soon.
Good job Sandoval, I hope you heal well. I believe you did the right thing, and I believe the the men that helped you did good too. More people could have been shot and killed by this robber, and weren't. Thank you my friend, I just wish there were more like you.
Brave or Stupid? Either way, Glad to see you'll be ok.
you truely have the heart of a warrior. wrestling works well in a brawling situation, but when you need to disarm your opponent, aikido is the best!
Thanks, Roberto, for stepping in. Â You are a brave man & a true hero. Â Sending healing thoughts your way!
This happened last friday and these are all the details?
Thanks but don't be so brave next time.
 @rockguy Yes. When confronted by criminals we should all assume the fetal position and call the police. Hopefully nothing bad will happen in the intervening minutes before they arrive.
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spoken like a true sheeple.. let the criminals go and do as they please... No wonder why we have such a problem..
It is people like Mr. Sandoval that we need more of.. people who see things happen and jump in to help. Great job Mr. Sandoval..
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 @rockguy So he was supposed to let the guy run around Seattle shooting at people? If more of the public would make a stand instead of being sheep there would be far less victims.