The victim’s family said Brandan Lucas was working when the gunman entered the store.
LAS VEGAS, Nev. — Detectives were searching Friday for a man accused of fatally shooting Five Below employee Brandan Lucas after entering a northwest Las Vegas store and asking for him by name.
Las Vegas Metropolitan Police said the shooting happened just after 4:30 p.m. Wednesday inside the Five Below at the Best in the West shopping center near Rainbow Boulevard and Lake Mead Boulevard. Investigators said the man entered the business, looked for a specific worker, fought with him and opened fire.
Lucas, 31, died at the store. His relatives later identified him publicly and said they spent hours waiting for clear information after learning something had happened. His cousin, Shekiera Wright, said relatives kept asking for updates while officials told them people were working on him.
Police said the suspect left before officers arrived and had not been arrested as of the latest public update. Detectives have not released the suspect’s name, a detailed description or a confirmed motive. Family members said they believe the shooting may have followed a dispute tied to text messages.
Wright said the killing stunned the family because Lucas was doing a routine shift when the violence began. “You would never think that that would be something that would happen to you when you’re just trying to do what you do every day,” she said.
The shooting also brought new attention to violence against workers in public-facing jobs. Five Below said safety of crew members and customers is its top concern and said the company was giving support to employees while cooperating with police.
The northwest Las Vegas location stayed closed after the shooting while detectives continued their investigation. Police said the case remained open and that homicide detectives were still working to identify and locate the person responsible.
Author note: Last updated June 19, 2026.