Daniel Schrader, a 36-year-old resident of Concord, California, was fatally shot on July 12, 2019, outside a Motel 6 in Concord. The incident occurred around 11:15 p.m. when Schrader, accompanied by Adam Renfroe, approached a motel room where Robert Brown was present. According to court records, Schrader and Renfroe were armed and had planned to rob Brown. Schrader's wife, Victoria Chew, was also involved in the plot, allegedly luring Brown to the motel by asking for help with a hot tub.
However, the plan went awry when Brown, armed with a pistol, opened fire as Schrader and Renfroe attempted to enter the room. Schrader was struck and succumbed to his injuries shortly after.
The investigation revealed a complex web of relationships and motives. Initially, authorities believed that Renfroe, Chew, and Brown had conspired to set up Schrader, suspecting an affair between Chew and Brown. However, further investigation suggested that Schrader and Chew were actually conspiring to rob Brown, with Renfroe's involvement in the plot. Surveillance footage captured the moments leading up to the shooting, showing Renfroe shoving Schrader towards the door before Brown fired the fatal shots. Renfroe and Brown fled the scene in separate cars, while Chew remained at the motel and was present when police arrived.
In the aftermath of the shooting, the Contra Costa County District Attorney's office filed conspiracy and gun possession charges against Chew and Renfroe. Despite the fatal outcome, prosecutors declined to file murder charges, citing the possibility of self-defense. Chew and Renfroe faced separate counts of conspiracy, with Chew accused of working with Schrader to commit robbery and Renfroe accused of conspiring to commit assault with a deadly weapon. Brown, identified as the shooter, remained at large for some time, with authorities continuing their search for him.
The case highlighted the intricate dynamics and tragic consequences of the failed robbery plot. Schrader's death underscored the dangers of criminal conspiracies and the unpredictable nature of such schemes. The ongoing investigation aimed to uncover the full extent of the involvement of each individual and bring those responsible to justice. The legal proceedings and search for Brown continued as authorities sought to resolve the case and provide closure to Schrader's family and the community.
