A suspected robber armed with a hammer was shot and killed when he attempted to rob a gun store in California. The incident took place at East Bay Firearms in Livermore on Sunday afternoon. According to witness statements to the police, the suspect, a 28-year-old man from Redwood, entered the store wearing a mask, hooded sweatshirt, and gloves, behaving suspiciously. He then tried to rob the gun store owner by taking a firearm while wielding a hammer. In self-defense, the owner fired two rounds at the suspect, who later died at the scene.
The Livermore Police Department responded to a burglary report and found the suspect suffering from a gunshot wound. Fortunately, none of the five customers inside the store during the attempted robbery were injured. The gun store owner, who has chosen to remain anonymous, is cooperating with the investigation and is not considered a suspect.
Authorities have stated that, based on the current investigation, it appears to be a case of self-defense. East Bay Firearms, a family-owned business located in Livermore, specializes in providing sales and advice to both first-time gun buyers and experienced shooters. The company is a licensed Federal Firearms Dealer and retailer.
The incident is being investigated by the Livermore Police Department’s criminal investigations bureau, and the suspect’s name will be released by the Alameda County Coroner’s Bureau once his next of kin have been notified. Anyone with information regarding the incident is urged to contact the Livermore Police Department’s anonymous tip line.
Overall, this incident highlights the potential dangers faced by gun store owners and the importance of self-defense in such situations. It also underscores the need for ongoing vigilance and cooperation between law enforcement and the community to maintain public safety.
