ONLY ON WWAY: Wilmington family grieving after Good Samaritan fatally injured, suspect charged

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — A Wilmington family is grieving as they removed their loved one from life support Wednesday night, after they say he interrupted a domestic dispute.

“He’s a hero. He tried to help a stranger and it cost him his life,” said David Pearson.

David said his brother, Alan, entered the Safeway on Wilshire Boulevard on Monday night and saw a man hitting and slapping a woman.

“He tried to help a young lady in distress just by speaking to her,” David said.

David said as the man walked away, his brother told the woman not to follow and he would call 911 to get her some help.

“The gentleman saw him talking to his estranged girlfriend and flew off the handle,” David said. “He came in, my brother never saw it coming. He hit him without him even seeing and when he fell he hit his head and instantly cracked his skull.”

David said it was all captured on video, which he has seen. He adds Alan was just trying to do the right thing.

“It sucks that in this society no matter if you’re helping somebody out or not you don’t get the benefit anymore,” Alan’s niece, Jennifer Pearson said. “Just for him to help somebody out and get killed over it. What’s going on with out society?”

The man accused of beating Alan, Hakeem Sanders.

“It’s just a scary dream. But in God’s hands I believe that as a family we will one day be able to forgive him,” Jennifer said.

Alan’s family says he was a kind, fun, loving person who would do anything for anyone.

“Domestic violence is an issue. It’s a problem,” David said. “And until people who can continue to abuse others are taken control of this is what it leads to.”

The family said Alan Pearson was removed from life support at 9:00 p.m. and all of his organs were donated.

Wilmington Police arrested Sanders, 31, on Tuesday for assault inflicting serious injury.

During Sanders’ first court appearance in New Hanover County court Wednesday afternoon, the prosecution said more charges are expected now that Alan was removed from life support.

The judge raised Sanders’ bond to $1 million and ordered no contact with the victim’s family. His next court date is set for March 29.

WWAY asked to speak with Sanders, he declined our request.