A former race car champion was fatally stabbed Wednesday while fueling his car at a 76 gas station in Westminster, California.
Officers responding to a reported stabbing arrived at the Westminster Boulevard gas station at approximately 5:51 p.m., according to a statement released by the Westminster Police Department.
“The victim was found on the ground suffering from a serious stab wound to the chest area,” police said, referring to the man later identified as NASCAR racer Bobby East. “Officers attempted life saving measures until OCFA paramedics arrived and transported the victim to a local trauma center, where the victim succumbed to his injury.”
WPD detectives identified Trent William Millsap, who fled the area prior to police arrival, as a suspect in the fatal stabbing. Police said Millsap has an outstanding parole warrant and warned he should be considered armed and dangerous. Millsap was described by police as a transient known to frequent Westminster, Garden Grove and Anaheim motels.
According to a Fox News report, the man police suspected of murdering race car driver Bobby East died after exchanging gunfire with SWAT officers.
The West County SWAT Team responded to serve a search-arrest warrant for Trent Millsap after they learned he resided in an apartment on Lincoln Avenue in Anaheim, according to the Westminster Police Department.
“During the service of the search warrant, an officer involved shooting took place,” a police spokesperson said Friday, according to the report. “No officers were injured; however, a police K-9 sustained a single gunshot wound that was not life threatening. The Westminster Police Department, along with members of the Orange County District Attorney’s office are currently investigating the shooting.”
Police believe Millsap and East may have been acquaintances, but further information regarding a motive was not immediately known, according to a report in the Mercury News.
Orange County District Attorney spokeswoman Kimberly Edds said the shooting investigation would be handled by the state attorney general’s office, because it was believed Millsap was unarmed, the report added. If so, the canine cop may have been hit by friendly fire.
“Our team is incredibly sad to learn today’s news about Bobby East,” commented RFK racing on the team’s Twitter account. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones.”
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