OPD: Stolen Back Pack Spurred Fight Between Guard, Fan At A's-Giants Game
OAKLAND (KPIX 5) – Police in Oakland on Tuesday afternoon announced that a fight between a security guard and a fan during Monday's A's-Giants game stemmed from the guard's stolen backpack being found with the fan.
Video posted on social media of the altercation between a security guard and a fan in the upper deck of the Coliseum during the game appeared to shot the guard attacking the fan.
However, on Tuesday afternoon Oakland police spokesperson Johanna Watson released a statement that said one of the stadium security guards had a backpack that was taken while the guard was on duty.
The backpack was located in the possession of a fan by another guard. When the guard who had the backpack stolen confronted the fan, a fight ensued.
Oakland police officers responded to the incident, but security had already escorted the fan out of stadium before officers arrived on scene.
While the backpack was recovered, some items were missing from it.
Watson said the incident is still under investigation.
Earlier Tuesday, A's spokeswoman Catherine Aker said the security guard involved in the confrontation would no longer be working at the team's games.
The guard was employed by a sub-contractor hired by the team's third-party security company, Staff Pro.
"We do not tolerate violence and we have referred this matter to the Oakland Police Department," Aker said in a statement.
KPIX 5 also learned Tuesday afternoon that the guard has been fired by Staff Pro.
KPIX 5 reached out to Staff Pro and received the following statement Tuesday afternoon.
Staff Pro is an event staffing industry leader and has received SAFETY Act designation from the Department of Homeland Security. Last night's incident at the Oakland Athletics game is not indicative of Staff Pro's high standards or the training given to our staffing associates. We regret that the actions of a rogue employee affected Oakland fans in a negative way. The employee involved in the confrontation has been terminated and our event staff has received retraining on excellent customer relations. Staff Pro is prepared for tonight's game and is ready to provide a safe, secure, and friendly staffing experience for A's fans.
The security guard company said the employee passed her background check and had no previous issues.
According to several witness accounts, the female security guard attacked a female fan. Several videos of the incident were uploaded to social media.
Giants fan Wil Martinez thought he had a decent view of the Battle of the Bay Monday night. Instead he had front row seats to the sideshow.
He Snapchatted videos of the security guard punching a fan and pulling her down by the hair.
"You see fans fight. You just never see this between security and a couple of fans," said Martinez. "It was quite a mess."
Other guards jumping into the fray appear to be trying to stop the fight.
Video from another angle shows security guards wearing yellow jackets running in a line towards the scene on the upper deck.
Shane Siegrist, who posted video of the incident online, said the guard "assaulted an innocent woman." He goes on to say that the guard "came back and got booed and flipped everyone off."
Martinez said the security guard initiated the confrontation.
"She was vocal about who took her stuff or whatever it was, so I'd say she pretty much started it," explained Martinez.
In a written statement, the A's confirmed the incident.
The team referred the matter to the Oakland Police Department.
The A's won Monday night's Bay Bridge Series opener against the Giants, 8-5. Both teams will face off again at the Coliseum Tuesday night.
