A Santa Maria Bomar security guard is advocating for other security personnel to wear body armor after his safety vest protected him during a stabbing early Friday morning.
Joshua Schiver, 27, says he was performing a routine patrol of the business park off Preisker Lane, when he suspected someone may be in one of the restrooms.
The restrooms for the business park have codes but Schiver says the homeless in the area have watched employees of the park put in the numbers and have memorized them.
“I get the first part of the number punched in the door, the second part of the number in, open the door and I see the guy’s hand grab the door – he starts running forward and with his other hand he comes straight at my hand with a knife.”
Schiver recalled feeling a stinging sensation in his chest.
“I look down and see a 6 to 9 inch part of a knife sticking out of it.”
Schiver says he called the Santa Maria Police Department and officers immediately began looking for the man responsible.
He is thankful he was wearing his body armor and is recommending other security personnel to do the same.
“I’ve been doing this for six years and since day one I’ve been wearing body armor,” Schiver said. “I looked at it as, if I’m wearing a uniform, if someone really has an ill intent, I’m not going to give them the chance to hurt me.”
Schiver took himself to the hospital for broken ribs and a concussion. He did not suffer any stab wounds as part of the struggle.
He describes the man as being in his early 30s, heavy set with a beard and light brown or blond hair. He was wearing a black hoodie, blue jeans and white tennis shoes. The security guard said the man appeared to be transient.
Anyone with information about this stabbing is urged to call the Santa Maria Police Department at (805) 928-3781 ext. 2677. Tips can be made anonymously.
Related: Police investigating stabbing involving security guard in Santa Maria
