Daughter of security guard killed in parking garage speaks out

 

SOUTH BEND, Ind. --- A 62-year-old security guard was shot and killed Sunday night in South Bend. Robert Pulliam Jr. was killed while working as a security guard in a parking garage off of Wayne Street.

Pulliam’s family is remembering him as the dad, grandpa, and hard worker he was.

“That’s my dad,” says the daughter of Robert Pulliam Jr., Delaney Pulliam.

South Bend Police say an altercation between Pulliam and a suspicious person in the parking garage led up to the shooting that ultimately took the security guard’s life; they have not named a suspect yet.

Family and friends knew him as ‘Bob’.

“He would go out of his way to help anybody,” Delaney says, describing her dad.

She says she will miss her dad dearly.

He was a former steel worker and marine corps veteran who also loved the arts; rigging lights for shows at the Morris Performing Arts Center, Notre Dame, and other venues around town.

Delaney will remember him as being a big outdoorsman; her favorite family memories growing up were on their camping trips together.

“He loved camping and fishing,” Delaney recalls. “We used to go on camping trips, up in the Manistee National Forest, and kayak down the Pine River.”

Most of all, she will remember the soft spot he had for his grandchildren.

“He loved hanging out with his grandkids,” she shares. “They ranged from 16 to one.”

Delaney says the news of her father’s death came as a shock, but it’s not the first time she’s heard of suspicious activity at the garage he patrolled.

“He had pepper spray and a taser,” Delaney remembers. “He was always, every night, he had to chase somebody out of there.”

She hopes her and everyone that knew Bob will receive justice and closure soon, once the person who pulled the trigger is caught.

“I do hope they find him because Bob did have a lot of friends, in a lot of places,” Delaney hopes.

Pulliam’s autopsy is set for Tuesday morning in Kalamazoo. The investigation into his death remains active and ongoing.

If anyone has any information, they are encouraged to call Michiana Crime Stoppers at 574-288-STOP. Callers can remain anonymous.