Security work is rarely glamorous. It doesn’t come with flashing lights and sirens, or high profile news coverage. Most of the time the shifts are pretty quiet. You do your rounds, make sure doors are locked, provide some customer service, etc.
A security guard’s version of an exciting day might be helping find a lost child, or a burst water pipe!
But every once and a while, something happens that is a little more exciting and dangerous than usual. If you’re not prepared, the consequences can be tragic.
That’s what happened in March of 2025 to a security guard named George Fernandez. George confronted someone doing something they shouldn’t. Moments later he was on the ground. A simple push, a fatal injury, and a life lost.
In this blog post, we will take a look at what happened to George Fernandez, the factors leading up to his death, and what all security guards can learn from this unfortunate incident to keep themselves safe. No matter how mundane your typical day is, in the security world, you are just one interaction away from tragedy. That’s why training and education in safety matters.
What Happened to George Fernandez?
George was a 73 year old security guard, and father, working in the same Calgary apartment building where he lived. Early in the morning of March 13, 2025, a woman entered the building’s lobby to take some packages and a laptop that had been left in an office area.
George confronted the woman. Rather than leave when directed, a physical interaction occurred and George was pushed. He fell down and hit his head. The woman, identified as Amanda Ahenakew then took the items and left the building. George was found later that morning by staff arriving for work. George was taken to the hospital by ambulance, where he died the next day.
Thanks to security video footage of the incident, Ahenakew was later arrested and charged with manslaughter. While justice may now be served, the harm done to George Fernandez and his family cannot be undone.
This was not a big, high profile incident, He was not ganged up on, attacked with a knife or gun, or pushed off a building. This was a brief interaction with some pushing and shoving. But it was significant enough to end a life. So, what can we take away from this tragedy?
This Can Happen to Any Security Guard…Including You!
If you’ve been working in security for a while, you’ve probably already experienced a similar interaction. You encounter someone who appears out of place, or their behaviour is suspicious. Maybe they’re there to steal? Maybe they’re intoxicated, high or suffering from mental illness? Regardless, you have to decide whether to intervene and engage with this person, or whether to call for assistance.
There are many factors that go into this decision, but the primary one is safety. Many security guards work alone, and without personal protective equipment such as body armour, handcuffs or batons. This is particularly true at sites with a perceived low risk of danger. Apartment buildings and office towers are great examples. Yet, whenever anything happens at that site, everyone looks to the security guard to handle things. This includes crime and violence.
The unfortunate reality is that many of the security guards working at these sites are not properly trained or equipped for that responsibility.
So What May Have Gone Wrong?
It’s not that George was careless. His job was to protect the people and property in that building, and that’s what he was doing. But considering the outcome, it is important to take what lessons we can from the situation, to help other security guards avoid a similar outcome.
He Got Too Close: Based on the reporting of the incident, George was standing in close proximity to the woman, when he asked her to leave. The closer someone is to you, the faster they can harm you.
It is important to always maintain a reactionary gap of at least 6-feet when interacting with someone. Also, avoid standing directly in front of them, and do not block their exit path. Keep your hands up (and open) in case you have to suddenly protect yourself.
He Was Working Alone: George did not have a partner, or anyone nearby that he could bring in to back him up. While this is a common occurrence in security, it can be quite dangerous.
When working alone, it is important to have check-in systems in place, such as regularly reporting to your supervisor with updates on the status of the sites and any concerns. Policies directing guards to advise their supervisor prior to any potentially dangerous interactions, along with a follow-up check-in once the interaction has concluded can alert others of possible issues.
He May Have Confronted Rather Than De-Escalated: While we do not know what was said between the two, we do know that the situation quickly became physical. Always, but especially when there are clear safety concerns, using strong communication skills to de-escalate and gain compliance should be the primary approach. Taking a more assertive, or even confrontational approach can make the subject feel threatened. Their response may be to escalate their verbal defensiveness, or even become violent.
Rather than creating a situation where the person feels trapped or cornered, maintain space and do not block the exit. Introduce yourself and use good tactical/strategic communication to manage the interaction and achieve your goals.
Key Takeaways
It takes much more than a uniform to be an effective security guard. You need knowledge and skills in communication, decision-making, personal safety, and legal authorities to operate at the highest levels. Utilizing the following can help you avoid finding yourself in the same tragic situation as George Fernandez:
De-Escalation: The ability to use your words and body language to influence others and resolve situations is arguably the most important skill in security. The best security guards are the ones who can stay calm under pressure, use their own voice and posture to reduce the tension, and recognize when the other person is escalating and it is time to disengage.
Situational Awareness: This is more than simply “looking around” your environment. It’s about looking for and being aware of specific things in your environment. Use your observation skills to always know your closest exit, recognize potential dangers, know what objects might be useful if attacked, and any pre-assault indicators shown by the subject.
Emergency Response Plans: If someone gets hurt, whether it’s you or someone else, you need to know how to summon help quickly, provide basic first aid, and how to secure the area without putting yourself at unnecessary risk.
Conclusion
George Fernandez was just doing his job when Amanda Ahenakew decided to enter the building and steal some property. The interaction itself wasn’t overly dramatic or action packed. A brief struggle, ending with a push that took an innocent life. This is a tragedy in every sense of the word.
As a security guard, please ask yourself:
Do I know how to handle someone who is acting aggressively?
Would I recognize the signs that someone was preparing to attack me?
Do I always have a plan to respond if things go sideways?
Do I have enough of the proper training to do my job, and keep myself and others safe?
If you’re not confident in your answers, you may want to consider taking any of the great training programs offered through SecurityGuardCourse.ca. These courses will help you to build your skills in conflict prevention and de-escalation, use of force, personal safety, and so much more!
References:
CityNews Calgary. (2025, April 8). Calgary woman charged in fatal assault of security guard at downtown apartment. CityNews Calgary. Retrieved June 26, 2025, from https://calgary.citynews.ca/2025/04/08/manslaughter-security-guard-downtown/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
CBC News. (2025, April 8). Calgary security guard remembered after fatal altercation. CBC News. Retrieved June 26, 2025, from https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/calgary-security-guard-remembered-george-fernandez-1.7508587