CONCORD, CA — A late-night armed robbery at a Concord convenience store ended in the fatal shooting of the suspect after one employee attempted to disarm him, and another stepped in with a firearm to stop the threat.
The incident occurred around 11:30 p.m. on Friday, February 21, 2025, at the S&S Fast & Easy Market on Willow Pass Road. According to the Concord Police Department, 41-year-old Lucas Ray Smith entered the store armed with a shotgun and demanded that an employee open the safe. Smith then forced the employee into the back of the store at gunpoint.
At some point, the employee attempted to wrestle the shotgun away from Smith, leading to a violent struggle. A second employee, witnessing the confrontation, armed himself with a legally possessed handgun and fired a single round, striking Smith while he was still engaged in the fight. Smith was pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities confirmed that both store employees cooperated fully with the investigation and were not arrested. The case will be reviewed by the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office.
Witness Recounts Fearful Encounter
A witness, Tao Villavicencio, recalled seeing the suspect walking through the parking lot with a shotgun in hand. “I’m scared. When I see the guy, I’m scared,” Villavicencio told KGO News. Realizing the danger, he ran back home and called 911.
The store owner, Gary Sharma, expressed relief that his employees and customers were unharmed, noting that the store has been robbed before. “Customers are coming in tears saying, ‘So glad you guys are okay.’ They came and gave us hugs. Means a lot,” Sharma said.
The Danger of Attempting to Disarm an Armed Attacker
While the first employee’s instinct to disarm the suspect was courageous, it was also extremely dangerous. Attempting to take a weapon from an armed attacker can escalate the situation and put the defender at an even greater risk. Fortunately, in this case, the second employee had access to a firearm and was able to end the threat before further harm occurred.
This incident underscores the importance of self-defense preparedness in life-threatening situations. When unarmed, options like de-escalation, compliance, or escape are often the safest choices. However, when escape is not possible and lives are at risk, having the ability to lawfully defend oneself can be critical.
