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The Alameda County Coroner's Bureau on Sunday released the identity of a man who died after being shot by the owner of a Livermore gun store last month in what police say was a case of justifiable self-defense during an armed robbery attempt.
The decedent was identified as 28-year-old Freddy Mendoza. The coroner's bureau said they did not have a confirmed city of residence for Mendoza, although the Livermore Police Department originally reported he was from Redwood City.
There had been an investigative hold preventing the coroner from releasing Mendoza's name publicly until it was lifted some time last week. The reason for the weeks-long hold was not specified.
Livermore police are still actively investigating the deadly shooting at East Bay Firearms from Oct. 22, and the initial determination of justifiable self-defense remains unchanged, according to a department spokesperson.
Police reported at the time that a 28-year-old man – subsequently identified as Mendoza – entered the gun store on First Street, which was open with five customers inside, and was acting suspiciously while wearing a mask, gloves and hoodie pulled down over his face that afternoon.
"According to witness statements, he then attempted to rob the gun store by taking a firearm while armed with a hammer. The gun store owner fired two rounds fatally wounding the man," police said at the time. Mendoza was pronounced dead at the scene.
The gun store operator, who has not been identified publicly, has cooperated with the investigation and is not considered to be a suspect in any crime related to the shooting at this time, according to police.
Anyone with information relevant to the case can contact the Livermore Police Department via its anonymous tip line at 925-371-4790.
