CONCORD – A man was shot to death while trying to rob a liquor store last week in Concord, police said.
The fatal encounter happened around 11:30 p.m. Friday at the S&S Fast & Easy Mart, located at 3200 Willow Pass Road, the Concord Police Department said in a news release. Officers arrived to find 41-year-old Lucas Ray Smith dead at the scene.
An investigation revealed Smith entered the store armed with a shotgun, pointed it at an employee and demanded access to the safe, police said, adding that he then forced the employee into the back of the store at gunpoint.
The employee tried to disarm Smith, which led to a physical fight, according to police.
Meanwhile, a second employee witnessed what was happening and armed himself with a legally possessed handgun, police said. He ultimately fired a single round at Smith, hitting and killing him while he was still struggling with the first employee.
The employees cooperated with the investigation and neither was placed under arrest.
Police are continuing to investigate the case and will eventually present it to the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office for review.
Anyone with information related to the case can contact Detective Justin Wilson at 925-603-5859.
Check back for updates.