Thief tries to rob gun store with hammer with deadly result: cops

A suspected robber armed with a hammer was fatally shot when he allegedly tried to rob a California gun store. 

The Livermore Police Department said that before 2:30 p.m. Sunday, a man “wearing a mask, a hooded sweatshirt pulled over his head and gloves” who was “acting suspicious” entered East Bay Firearms. 

The man, who has only been identified as a 28-year-old from Redwood, then attempted to rob the gun store owner by swiping a firearm while wielding a hammer, according to witness statements to police. 

The gun store owner, who has not been named, grabbed a gun and fired two rounds at the suspected robber. 

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Officers responded to the store shortly after over a report of a burglary, and found a man suffering from a gunshot wound, who later died on the scene. 

Five customers were inside the store at the time of the alleged attempted burglary and were not injured, according to police. 

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Police said the gun store owner is cooperating and is not a suspect in the case. 

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“At this stage in the investigation, it appears that this was a case of self-defense,” Livermore PD said in a press release. 

East Bay Firearms is a family-owned business located roughly 45 miles east of San Francisco. 

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“East Bay firearms is a family-owned full service licensed [Federal Firearms License] dealer and firearms retailer. We are located in the heart of Livermore. We specialize in providing sales and advice to first time gun buyers as well as experienced shooters,” the company says on its website. 

Police said its criminal investigations bureau is investigating the incident, and the Alameda County Coroner’s Bureau will release the suspect’s name once next of kin are notified of his death. 

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Anyone with information on the matter is asked to contact the Livermore Police Department’s anonymous tip line.