Gabriel Alverez Ortega, 57

Gabriel Alverez Ortega, a 57-year-old Latino, died Monday, July 14, after he was assaulted in the 1400 block of Vine Street in Hollywood, according to Los Angeles County coroner’s records.

Ortega was inside a McDonald’s on June 18 about 9:35 p.m. when he saw a man yelling at a 3-year-old boy, said LAPD Det. Steven Katz. Ortega, whom police are calling a “good Samaritan,” stood in front of the boy to shield him from a potential attack and told the man, who was “acting in a somewhat incoherent manner,” to leave the child alone, Katz said.

The man punched Ortega and left the McDonald’s. Ortega filed a battery report and told police he would get his own medical care. Two days later, a friend drove Ortega to Kaiser Permanente Medical Center where he complained of a headache and vomiting.

Ortega was pronounced dead at 7:24 a.m. on July 14, according to coroner’s records. Coroner’s officials determined that Ortega died as a result of blunt head trauma and ruled it a homicide.

Police said the man is 30 to 40 years old, black, 5-feet-9 to 5-feet-11, and 175 to 190 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.

Anyone with information is asked to call West Bureau Homicide Dets. Jose Robledo or Fernando Rivas at (213) 382-9470. Those who wish to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.

-- Los Angeles Times staff