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Richmond police investigating IHOP employees death, person of interest shoots himself
An employee at a Richmond IHOP, who was found unconscious by coworkers on Monday afternoon and who later died, is the subject of a homicide investigation, police say. One day after the shooting, police at a news conference said a person of interest in this case is in critical condition after shooting themselves near the San Pablo Police Department.
RICHMOND, Calif. - An employee at a Richmond IHOP, who was found unconscious by coworkers on Monday afternoon and who later died, is the subject of a homicide investigation, police say.
One day after the shooting, police at a news conference said a person of interest in this case is in critical condition after shooting themselves near the San Pablo Police Department.
What we know:
The Richmond Police Department said officers, as well as the Richmond Fire Department, responded to the restaurant, located on the 3400 block of Klose Way, at around 1:43 p.m. on Monday for a medical call.
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IHOP employee killed at Richmond restaurant
An employee of an IHOP restaurant in Richmond was killed on Monday afternoon, police say. Officials say it appears the victim may have been shot. The homicide is under investigation.
Police said the employee had been alone and was discovered with a head injury by coworkers. The fire department considered the injury to be suspicious and requested a police response.
Emergency medical workers were unable to save the victim, who was not identified. The victim died at the scene.
Police said in their preliminary investigation that the victim may have been shot. The investigation remains active and ongoing. Police initially said no arrests had been made.
A motive for the killing is not known at this time.
What they're saying:
IHOP franchise Peak Restaurant Partners in a statement said, "We are currently focused on caring for our restaurant team and supporting the family." The restaurant was open for business on Tuesday.
New development
On Tuesday evening, KTVU got word of a crime scene near the San Pablo Police Department. The Richmond Police Department said that it was related to the IHOP homicide investigation.
At a 9 p.m. Tuesday news conference, Richmond police said the injuries to the male IHOP employee did not appear to be accidental.
Richmond Police Dept. Lt. Donald Patchin said police investigators had identified a person of interest – a co-worker of the IHOP worker – who lives in San Pablo. Patchin said an arrest warrant was secured. Police sought the whereabouts of the person of interest. Lt. Patchin said the person of interest is known to the San Pablo Police Department.
San Pablo Police Lt. James Laughter said at 5:29 p.m. on Tuesday, the male person of interest approached an officer at the San Pablo Police Department station and that there was a language barrier. The "male subject" then walked away from police officers.
Police said they do not know if the person of interest knew he was being sought by police.
Officers at the scene on Tuesday heard one single gunshot from the police station parking lot. The person of interest was found with a single self-inflicted gunshot wound, police said. Police characterized the events leading up to the shooting as a "rambling, unclear conversation."
Police said the person of interest is in critical condition at the hospital. It is unclear if he will survive, but, according to Lt. Patchin, "it doesn't look promising."
Patchin said since the person of interest has not been charged and is still alive, they are not releasing this person's identity.
Police said IHOP may have video of what transpired inside the restaurant during the killing of the employee.
Local perspective:
The Richmond Police Department said this marks the 6th homicide of 2025 for the city.
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