The spree of violence occurred over the course of five hours Monday, across multiple counties at stores in Brea, La Habra, Riverside, Upland, Santa Ana and Ontario. It was not immediately clear to investigators what sparked the violence. “I think the only person that’s going to answer that is the suspect,” said Officer Ryan Railsback, a spokesman for the Riverside Police Department. Police in Brea responded to a 7-Eleven store at Lambert Road and North Brea Boulevard shortly after 4 a.m. Monday and found the store clerk shot to death in what investigators believe was a robbery. The girlfriend of the victim who died at the Brea store identified him as Matthew Hirsch, 40. “He was just the most caring and compassionate person and you just wouldn’t expect that from someone who looked like he did,” Kristen Ewan said. 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. Both victims in the La Habra shooting were expected to survive, officials said. Police said the victims were an employee and a customer. Santa Ana police said 24-year-old Matthew Rule of Santa Ana was fatally shot at 3:25 a.m. Monday outside the 7-Eleven store in the 300 block of East 17th Street. Police found Rule in the parking lot with a gunshot wound to the upper body, Santa Ana Police Department. Maria Lopez said. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene. The suspect apparently never entered the store in Santa Ana and appears to have robbed Rule, Lopez said. It was unclear whether Rule was a customer of the store or why he was there, Lopez said. Police have released surveillance images of the suspect they say is connected to the incidents in 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. 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. We are gathering information about this terrible tragedy and working with local law enforcement. Right now, our focus is on the franchisee, associates and customer safety. Having with this in mind, we have encouraged stores in the Los Angeles area to close overnight,” 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. The Associated Press and City News Service contributed to this report. Copyright © 2022 KABC Television, LLC. All rights reserved.
