Security guard dies after assault at downtown Modesto parking garage

A 70-year-old security guard has died two days after he was assaulted at a downtown Modesto parking garage.

The guard, Karl Whitehead, had been hospitalized and was listed in critical condition on life support equipment. On Sunday afternoon, Modesto police spokeswoman Heather Graves announced Whitehead had died from his injuries.

The assault occurred about 11:30 p.m. Friday at the parking garage at 915 11th St. Graves said officers arrived and found the guard unconscious on the ground with head injuries.

Graves said the suspect struck Whitehead after the guard tried to intervene in an argument between the suspect and a female parking attendant.

A witness followed the assault suspect, later identified as Don Lacey, as he left the garage. The witness helped officers find Lacey, who was taken into custody.

Lacey, 33, of Modesto was arrested on suspicion of assault with great bodily injury. He remained in custody at the Stanislaus County Jail on Sunday afternoon. His bail was set at $1 million.

Investigators asked anyone with information about the assault to call Detective Sean Martin at 209-342-6116 or Crime Stoppers at 209-521-4636. Callers to Crime Stoppers can remain anonymous and could be eligible for a cash reward.

This story was originally published November 12, 2017 at 3:24 PM with the headline "Security guard dies after assault at downtown Modesto parking garage."