Former NASCAR Driver Bobby East, 37, Dies After Being Stabbed at a Gas Station, Suspect Killed

Shafiq Najib
·2 min read
DAYTONA BEACH, FL - FEBRUARY 9: Bobby East, driver of the #21 Ford during the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series media day at Daytona International Speedway on February 9, 2006 in Daytona, Florida. (Photo by Rusty Jarrett/Getty Images)
DAYTONA BEACH, FL - FEBRUARY 9: Bobby East, driver of the #21 Ford during the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series media day at Daytona International Speedway on February 9, 2006 in Daytona, Florida. (Photo by Rusty Jarrett/Getty Images)
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Rusty Jarrett/Getty

Former NASCAR driver Bobby East has died after being stabbed at a gas station and his suspected attacker has been killed after an officer-involved shooting.

East was fatally stabbed while fueling his vehicle in the Orange County area of California, officials said. He was 37.

On Wednesday, officers from Westminster Police Department responded to a report of an attack at a local 76 gas station around 5:51 p.m. Upon arrival, East was "found on the ground suffering from a serious stab wound to the chest area," according to a press release.

While waiting for the paramedics to arrive, the officers attempted life-saving measures. However, after being transported to a local trauma center "the victim succumbed to his injury," officials shared.

Authorities did not reveal the victim's identity, but the United States Auto Club confirmed East was the slain individual, per The Washington Post.

Westminster Police Department did not immediately return PEOPLE's request for comment.

SPARTA, KY - JULY 7: Bobby East, driver of the #21 State Fair Corn Dogs/Edy's Dibs Ford, talks with former series driver Robert Pressley during the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Built Ford Tough 225 practice on July 7, 2006 at the Kentucky Speedway in Sparta, Kentucky. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images for NASCAR)
SPARTA, KY - JULY 7: Bobby East, driver of the #21 State Fair Corn Dogs/Edy's Dibs Ford, talks with former series driver Robert Pressley during the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Built Ford Tough 225 practice on July 7, 2006 at the Kentucky Speedway in Sparta, Kentucky. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images for NASCAR)

Joe Robbins/Getty for NASCAR

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Police were looking for the suspect who escaped the scene before their arrival and they named Trent William Millsap, 27, as a suspect. He was found to have an outstanding parole warrant and was "considered armed and dangerous," officials said.

"Millsap is a transient and known to frequent Westminster, Garden Grove, and Anaheim motel," police added in a statement.

On Friday, Westminster Police Department shared via another press release that they received a tip about "a wanted homicide suspect" who was in an apartment on Lincoln Avenue in the City of Anaheim.

Authorities said an officer-involved shooting occurred when the West County SWAT team served the suspect a warrant at the location. Multiple outlets report that the suspect "became confrontational" and was killed.

A K-9 was shot but did not sustain serious injuries, according to a press release that was released in relation to the gas station incident.

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The son of USAC Hall of Fame car builder Bob East, Bobby was born in Torrance, California and was a three-time champion on the US Auto Club circuit. According to Deadline, he also won the SAC Silver Crown championships in 2012 and 2013.