Suspected Shoplifter Dies In Confrontation Over Meat: Antioch PD

ANTIOCH, CA —A confrontation at the meat counter of a local grocery store left one man dead and the other in the hospital, Antioch police said.

Emergency personnel were dispatched just before 10 p.m. to Lucky Supermarket, 3190 Contra Loma Blvd., where it was reported that a man was not breathing after getting into a physical confrontation with a store employee, Antioch police Sgt. James Stenger said.

The store employee, a 56-year-old Concord man, told police he saw the other man try to steal meat from behind the butcher shop area of the store so he decided to say something to him.

"The store employee confronted the 34-year-old male and according to the employee the male attacked him," Stenger said. "During the physical confrontation the 34-year-old male stopped breathing for an unknown reason."

ConFire paramedics tried saving the man's life but he was declared dead at the scene.

Police said the Antioch man's death was being investigated as suspicious. His name was not disclosed.

"At this point of the investigation it is not clear whether the 34-year-old male died due to the physical confrontation or if he had a medical emergency that caused his death," Stenger said. "The cause of death will hopefully be determined at the autopsy and through interviews."

Police did not disclose the name of the store employee but said he was taken to a local hospital for treatment of injuries suffered injuries in the altercation. He was listed in stable condition, police said.

In response to an email from Patch, Lucky Spokeswoman Victoria Castro sent this statement: "The safety of our employees and customers is a top priority for Lucky. We are working with the Antioch Police Department on their ongoing investigation."

Anyone with information regarding the case may call Detective Cox at 925-779-6866 or text a tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using the key word ANTIOCH.