Early Released Homeless Man Suspected Of Stabbing NASCAR Star Bobby East, 37, At California Gas Station, Is Killed In SWAT RAID
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NASCAR star Bobby East, 37, (right) died after being stabbed at a California gas station, with his suspected killer (inset) killed just two days later in a SWAT raid. East was refueling in Westminster on Wednesday when he was stabbed to death in the chest. He was transported to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
“The victim was found on the ground with a serious stab wound to the chest,” Westminister police said in a statement about East’s murder. “Agents tried to take life-saving measures until OCFA paramedics arrived and took the victim to a local trauma center, where the victim succumbed to his injuries.” Pictured: 76 gas station on Westminster Boulevard where the stabbing allegedly took place.
After the incident, two-time NASCAR champion and Fox Sports analyst Todd Bodine said: “Very sad to hear of the tragic incident involving legendary USAC driver Bobby East. “He was a great cyclist. Thoughts and prayers for his family.’
Days later, police later shot and killed Trent William Millsap, 27, (pictured) a homeless man on parole, who allegedly stabbed the three-time US Auto Club (USAC) champion, in a SWAT raid, according to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office.
A SWAT team executed a search warrant Friday at an apartment on the 3300 block of Lincoln Avenue, in Anaheim, (pictured). Millsap was shot dead on the spot as police tried to arrest him. No officers were injured, but a police K-9 was hit with a bullet and suffered non-life-threatening injuries. The Orange County District Attorney is investigating the shooting.
Millsap’s sister, Rosa, confirmed her brother’s death in a Facebook post. It is unclear if she was aware of the circumstances surrounding his death. ‘It is with a heavy heart that I am posting this, my brother passed away last night’, she wrote on Saturday, ‘it has not yet dawned on me that he is no longer there. Please send your thoughts as we prepare for this arduous journey. I love you so much, brother.’
Police said Millsap, a refugee who visits Westminster, Anaheim and Garden Grove, is also charged with stabbing another man at the 76 gas station before allegedly attacking East. Officials said Millsap, who has several tattoos all over his body, was considered armed and dangerous. The homeless man also had an pending parole. Westminster Police did not immediately respond to DailyMail.com’s request for more information about the case.
East (left) was a star in the racing world, capturing three USAC national driving titles and winning the SAC Silver Crown Championships in 2004, 2012, and 2013. Born in Torrance, California, East made his home during his racing career in Brownsburg, Indiana, according to USAC Racing. East appeared on the scene in 2001 and was seen as a natural on the track as he is the son of USAC Hall of Fame automaker Bob East. The younger East was not married and had no children.
East took his first win at the USAC National Midgets in 2001, becoming the youngest ever winner at the time at age 16, and was awarded the USAC’s Rookie of the Year. The USAC called him “the winning USAC National Midget Rookie in over a quarter of a century.” He took a total of 22 USAC National Midget wins during his career and raced in 42 NASCAR national competitions between 2005 and 2008. His last appearance came at the 2014 Silver Crown season finale, where he finished third at the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse.
East’s murder took place in Orange County, just south of Los Angeles, where violent crime has increased this year. Violent crime is up 8.2 percent in LA County, with robberies up 20.8 percent over last year and aggravated assault up 5 percent.