Police called a 31-year-old man accused of shooting his pal in the neck after a game of street dice in the Bayview district a “sore loser.”

The victim, who is in stable condition, told cops in a recent hospital interview that the grisly April 17 shooting near Third Street and La Salle Avenue was greed-fueled.

Parolee Antonio Cortez allegedly shot his 30-year-old friend once in the neck after losing $200 during a dice game, police at the Bayview Station said.

Cortez is facing numerous criminal charges in connection with the shooting, including attempted murder, attempted robbery, resisting arrest and possession of narcotics.

The victim said Cortez asked him if he wanted to play dice. When the victim walked away $200 richer, Cortez allegedly told him to “give the money back,” according to police.

“The victim refused, telling the suspect that he won it fair and square and that’s all there was to it,” police said.

Cortez, who police say took “being a sore loser to a whole new level,” allegedly whipped out a gun. The victim was shot after trying to wrestle away the gun, police said.

Cortez allegedly shot several times, with just one of the bullets striking the victim, police said.
Police patrolling the area heard the shooting. After a chase, they arrested Cortez around 1 a.m. Cortez allegedly ditched a gun during the chase, which cops found.

Before he was transported to the hospital, the victim positively identified Cortez, police said.
Cortez, who is on parole for a robbery conviction, remains in custody. Last week, he pleaded not guilty to all the charges. A pretrial hearing is set for Friday.

maldax@sfexaminer.com