At least four of the incidents are believed to have been committed by the same person, while investigators are still looking for connections in the rest. Four of the incidents involved shootings and the other two were robberies with no injuries reported. Two people who were shot later died. The robberies happened over a five-hour span across several counties at stores in Brea, La Habra, Riverside, Upland, Santa Ana and Ontario. Police in Brea responded to a 7-Eleven store at Lambert Road and North Brea Boulevard shortly after 4 a.m. and found the store clerk shot to death in what investigators believe was a robbery. According to Brea police, that shooting is believed to be related to another shooting that left at least two injured at a 7-Eleven store in the 300 block of East Whittier Boulevard in La Habra. A spokesman for the Brea Police Department said those two shootings happened about 20 minutes apart. Police have released surveillance images of the suspect they say is connected to the incidents in both of those cities. Authorities released the images in hopes that someone will identify the suspect, who appears to be wearing a black hooded sweatshirt with white lettering. Meanwhile, police in Upland reported an armed robbery at a 7-Eleven store located in the 2100 Block Arrow Route. Police said the suspect — believed to be the same man linked to the previous incidents — robbed the store around 12:37 a.m. She allegedly stole a variety of items, including drinks, bottled wine and between $400 and $500 in cash. Investigators have released a surveillance image from this incident that shows what they believe is the same suspect described in previous incidents. Santa Ana police also said there is a “strong possibility” the suspect was connected to a shooting at a 7-Eleven store in that city. A man was fatally shot around 3:25 a.m. at that store in the 300 block of East 17th Street. Meanwhile, in Riverside, a customer was shot around 1:50 a.m. in what police described as an apparent robbery at a 7-Eleven store in the 5200 block of La Sierra Avenue. Police said the shooting victim was in critical condition. There was no immediate word on whether the Riverside shooting is connected to the others. 7-Eleven said in a statement that it is gathering information and cooperating with police. “Our hearts go out to the victims and their loved ones,” the statement said. Below is the timeline of events for incidents reported at various 7-Eleven stores on Monday, July 11, according to authorities.
12 am
A robbery was reported at a 7-Eleven in the 600 block of North Vine Avenue in Ontario. There were no injuries. Police are still looking to determine if he is connected to the other robberies.
12:37 am
Police in Upland reported an armed robbery at a 7-Eleven store located in the 2100 Block of Arrow Route.
1:50 am
Riverside Police reported a robbery and shooting at a 7-Eleven located in the 5100 Block of La Sierra Ave. A customer was shot and remains in critical condition. Police say there is no indication the customer or store employee did anything to provoke the gunman.
3:23 am
Police say a man was shot and killed in the parking lot of the 7-Eleven store in the 300 Block East 17th St. in Santa Ana. The victim was later identified as Matthew Rule, 24, of Santa Ana.
4:18 am
Police say an employee was shot and killed at a 7-Eleven store at Lambert Road and N. Brea Boulevard in Brea during a robbery. The victim was identified by his girlfriend as Matthew Hirsch, 40. His friend, Kristen Ewan, described him as the “most caring and compassionate” person.
4:55 am
An employee and a customer were shot and injured during a robbery at the 7-Eleven store located at 1381 E. Whittier Blvd. in La Habra, according to police. City News Service contributed to this report. Copyright © 2022 KABC Television, LLC. All rights reserved.
