Security guard struggling with medical bills after shootout in Tulsa
TULSA, Okla. October 7 2018 A security guard is recovering physically and financially after he was shot on duty.
It happened last month when a man trespassed on property at the Tamarack Apartments.
The security guard is back on duty working with just one hand after getting shot in the other.
But he says his medical bills are piling up.
The bandage on Joe Baucom’s hand is small compared to what he went through.
“This was the last thing we wanted,” Baucom said.
Baucom is a security guard for several properties in south Tulsa.
Last month, while on the job, he was shot.
“He got me right there and it broke all of my fingers right here,” Baucom said.
Now, he’s dealing with the aftermath.
“This little [bandage] is about $40,000,” he said.
And he says his insurance can’t help much.
“I’m left footing the bill,” he said.
All because of the job he chose to do.
“Most of these people are good people and just want to live peacefully,” Baucom said. “Their property owners hired us to help with that but sometimes stuff like this happens.”
Baucom and his partner were attempting to get 34-year-old Ronald Mason off of the property at the Tamarack Apartments.
Police say Mason was banned from the complex.
“He spun around once we tried to make contact with him and he pulled a gun on us,” Baucom said.
Baucom says Mason fired first, hitting him in the hand.
Then Baucom and his partner fired back.
Mason died at the scene and Baucom was left with a bad hand.
“it will probably never work fully ever again,” he said. “And two years ago my wife was in a car accident and we are still dealing with that. Hospital bills are pretty heavy.”
He’s hoping his city can help him with that.
If you would like to help Baucom out, a GoFundMe page was created in his name.
KTUL
