Security Guard Killed In Shootout Outside Skate Park Remembered As 'Great Father'

GRAND TERRACE (CBSLA.com) — A 48-year-old security guard killed during a shootout outside of a roller rink in the early hours of the New Year was being remembered as a great father, great husband and best friend, according to his son.

Richard Williamson of Riverside died at Cal Skate in the city of Grand Terrace during a confrontation with a suspected gunman.

Witnesses said Williamson was trying to protect hundreds of partygoers when the shots rang out during the all-night New Year's Eve party.

Williamson's son, Nathannel, told KCAL9's Tom Wait said, "I can't wish that he wouldn't have done it because that's not him. I'm pretty sure he did what he had to do to try to make it home and make sure everybody else could make it home."

Investigators have not yet disclosed what triggered the shooting but a witness told KCAL9 that when shots rang out, Williamson jumped into action and returned fire. Two others were hit but survived.

So far, no arrests have been made.

"I can't wish nothing bad because he wouldn't want me to wish anything bad," Nathannel Williamson told Wait.

Meanwhile, sheriff's investigators said detectives planned to work the holiday weekend to crack the case.