Man dies after being shot trying to stop theft at Pleasanton Home Depot, coroner confirms

ByJ.R. Stone KGO logo

Wednesday, April 19, 2023

Man fatally shot trying to stop theft at East Bay Home Depot: Coroner

Pleasanton police say a man was fatally shot trying to stop a theft at a Home Depot and the suspects were later detained in Oakland.

PLEASANTON, Calif. (KGO) -- Pleasanton police say a man was fatally shot trying to stop a theft at a Home Depot and the suspects were later detained in Oakland.

UPDATE: Pleasanton Home Depot employee identified as victim shot, killed during shoplifting confrontation

Witnesses tell police the man tried to stop someone who was attempting to steal from the store and was later shot.

Officers with the Pleasanton Police Department could be seen working into the night at Home Depot in Pleasanton.

In a statement Home Depot writes: "We're heartbroken over this senseless tragedy. Blake was our associate and friend, and our hearts go out to his family and everyone who knew and loved him."

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The Alameda County Coroner says they're not releasing the full name of the victim due to instructions from investigators.

"Attention 118 units broadcast for officer safety. Shots fired at the Home Depot on Johnson Drive in Pleasanton."

That was the initial police radio call that went out after shots were fired at this Home Depot in sight of Interstate 580. Witnesses told police the victim attempted to stop a theft in progress. There was a struggle and the man was shot. Police say two suspects were then seen driving from the store and officers soon caught up with them.

"Attention 118 units Pleasanton PD is in pursuit requesting CHP. Two forty-five they're east on 580 at Foothill. This is a red Nissan pathfinder."

"106th at 90mph lane number three."

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The chase ended at this location on Ney Avenue in East Oakland. One man was detained along with a woman. Their Nissan Pathfinder towed. Shoppers angered by the news.

"Pleasanton and Dublin used to be really safe places to go and visit and live and it just seems like it has really changed in the last five years," said Lilly Lo who lives in the area.

"I'm really frustrated that this is happening," said shopper Subodh Khare.

"Better laws and stricter enforcement," said shopper Kishore Rao.

Police aren't saying much about where the shots were fired and if this associate was on any sort of security team. They're also not saying if the suspects were arrested or charged. Only telling us a press release will be issued Wednesday.

Police issued this statement Tuesday:

Pleasanton Police Department is actively investigating a shooting that occurred at approximately 2:15 p.m. on Tuesday, April 18 inside a Home Depot store located at 6000 Johnson Drive. Our dispatch center received calls about a man who was bleeding inside the store. Officers rendered aid to the victim, and he was immediately transported to a nearby hospital. Witnesses reported the victim attempted to stop a theft in progress, wherein a struggle ensued, and the man was shot. The suspects were seen immediately driving away from the scene after the shooting. Allied agencies were notified of the description of the wanted vehicle. At approximately 2:30 p.m., deputies with the Alameda County Sheriff's Office located the vehicle and successfully detained the suspects near the 7000 block of Ney Avenue in Oakland. If you or anyone you know has information about this incident, please call Pleasanton Police Department at (925) 931-5100.