Family seeks help in death of Giants fan

Griffith's death came just as he was putting his life in order, his stepfather Al Cunningham said. After some trouble with drugs, Griffith had recently emerged from a rehabilitation program and was looking for a job. Friday night was only the third time he was allowed to go out at night since his drug problems and Cunningham said the life-long Giants fan wanted to go to the game.

He and his friends went without tickets but quickly scored standing-room-only passes. Bonds was his favorite player and Griffith hoped the game against the San Diego Padres would hold a history-making 700th hit. But Griffith never got the chance to brag about seeing the moment.

After the game, at about 10 p.m., Griffith and his friends walked back to their car that was in a lot in the 800 block of Terry Francois Boulevard across from the ballpark. Griffith bumped into a 1980s four-door car, possibly a Toyota, and three Hispanic men between the ages of 20 and 23 emerged. After a brief exchange of words, Griffith was stabbed twice in the heart and 24-year-old Carlos Ortega was beaten as he tried defending his friend. The attackers sped off as Griffith's friends sought medical help. Ortega suffered a fractured hand but Griffith was pronounced dead.

Griffith's family first heard that he had collapsed outside the ballpark, leaving Cunningham to assume he had drank too much or failed to eat properly. But within the hour news came that the situation was much more dire and, finally, that the happy-go-lucky youth known for his sense of humor and love of animals was dead.

On Sunday, friends and family held a memorial for the former Woodside High student at the spot where he was attacked. Tears flowed, flowers were laid and Griffith's mom, Stacey Redman, pleaded for help in identifying the suspects.

Back in Redwood City, Cunningham and a circle of family and friends gathered around the television to watch news coverage. Each new mention of Griffith brought fresh tears as the group grappled with the loss. None believe Griffith would have said anything to his attackers to escalate the situation.

"If anything, he would have told a joke [to diffuse the situation]," Cunningham said.

Griffith's attack is the first such incident at the park since it opened in 2000. Police have one good eyewitness to the attack but are seeking more, Cunningham said. They plan to release a sketch of one suspect today.

Meanwhile, Cunningham and those who knew his stepson keep their fingers crossed that if they can't have him back they can at least hold somebody responsible.

"We're hopeful and pretty optimistic," Cunningham said.

Anyone with information about the crime is urged to call the San Francisco Police Department's confidential hotline at (415) 575-4444.

Services for Griffith are Friday at St. Peter's Episcopal Church at 178 Clinton Street in Redwood City. Donations are asked for Pets in Need in Redwood City.

Michelle Durand can be reached by e-mail: michelle@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 104. What do you think of this story? Send a letter to the editor: letters@smdailyjournal.com.