OC Security Guard In Critical Condition After 'Senseless' Shooting

LAGUNA HILLS, CA — The Orange County community is rallying to support a neighborhood security guard and his family, after he was shot three times while on-duty in Laguna Hills.

The shooting was reported at 11:02 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 17, after deputies were sent to the area of Bridlewood Drive and Saddle Rock Place at Nellie Gail Ranch regarding a shooting.

Upon arriving, authorities found a man with gunshot wounds to his upper torso in the driver's seat of a parked security guard vehicle, deputies said. He was later identified as 36-year-old Larry Rojas.

Rojas was moved to a local hospital, where he remains in critical condition as of Tuesday. The man who allegedly shot him was later arrested and identified as 32-year-old Matthew Luke Pickens, of Laguna Hills.

The motive for the shooting is under investigation.

"We are still in absolute shock, and speechless at this horrific and evil act that was committed against him unprovoked," his wife, Yesenia Diaz, told Patch. "Larry's life has always been dedicated to helping others, his love of nature and animals... he made it his mission to make a positive impact in this world."

According to Diaz, Rojas's injuries are life-threatening and he is facing a "long and difficult recovery."

"We never would have imagined that when he left to work that morning, that he would not be coming back home," Diaz said. "That when he last saw his loved ones that it would possibly be the last time they would talk to him, hug him."

To help with medical expenses, a GoFundMe page was established to raise money for Rojas's family.

RELATED: South OC Man Who Shot Security Guard Arrested, Deputies Say