Former NASCAR driver Bobby East fatally stabbed at CA gas station; suspect killed: police

Police say 37-year-old Bobby East was fatally stabbed at a fuel station in Southern California on Wednesday.

California police responded to a fuel station round 5:50 p.m. in reference to a stabbing. After they arrived, they discovered the sufferer with a stab wound to the chest, police mentioned.

In the course of the investigation, the sufferer was recognized as Robert John East. He was transported to an area hospital, the place he later died of his accidents, officers mentioned.

Police recognized 27-year-old Trent William Millsap because the suspect. They tracked him to an condominium in Anaheim, California Friday, the place he was killed in a standoff with police.

“In the course of the service of the warrant, the West County SWAT Staff encountered Milsap. He grew to become confrontational with officers and a police Okay-9 was deployed. Subsequently, an officer-involved taking pictures occurred,” Westminster Police Division mentioned.

A police Okay-9 additionally sustained non-life threatening gunshot wound in the course of the confrontation and was transported to a veterinary hospital for therapy and later launched.

“On the time of the officer-involved taking pictures, Milsap was on parole for armed theft and had an excellent warrant for his arrest for an unrelated parole violation,” police added.

The Westminster Police Division is investigating the officer-involved taking pictures. The Orange County District Lawyer’s workplace, together with the Division of Justice, may even be investigating the taking pictures, officers mentioned.

Investigators are nonetheless attempting to determine a motive for the stabbing.

East was a three-time USAC nationwide champion driver.

East, whose father was a famous short-track automotive builder, received SAC Silver Crown championships in 2004, 2012 and 2013. He was simply 16 in 2001 when he grew to become the youngest driver to win a characteristic USAC Nationwide Midget race. He received 15 USAC races in 2004 and shortly dabbled in a brief NASCAR profession. He made 11 profession begins in what’s now NASCAR’s Xfinity Sequence and had two top-10 finishes in 31 profession Truck Sequence races.

“Very unhappy to listen to of the tragic incident involving Legend USAC driver Bobby East. He was one heck of a wheelman,” tweeted former Truck Sequence champion Todd Bodine.

“NASCAR is saddened to study of the tragic loss of life of Bobby East. We prolong our deepest and heartfelt condolences to the household and buddies of Bobby, a real racer,” NASCAR mentioned in an announcement.

The Related Press contributed to this publish.