Nascar driver and US Auto Club Champion Bobby East died of a stab wound to the chest after an altercation with suspect Trent William Millsap, 27, on Wednesday. East was 37.
Deadline, who was first to report the news, says that the two exchanged words at a 76 gas station in Westminster, Calif.
Millsap fled the scene before police arrived, where they found East lying on the ground.
“Officers attempted life saving measures until OCFA paramedics arrived and transported the victim to a local trauma center, where the victim succumbed to his injury,” per statement from the police.
East was rushed to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead.
On Friday night, police found Millsap in an Anaheim apartment where they attempted to serve a warrant, according to local news source The Mercury Outlet. Upon arriving, at least one officer was involved in a shooting that left a police dog injured, and the suspect, Millsap, dead.
Police have not confirmed if Millsap had weapons.
Fox News says Millsap was considered armed and dangerous and had an outstanding parole warrant.
Kimberly Edds, a spokeswoman for the Orange County District Attorney’s office, says the investigation into the shooting is going to be handled by the State Attorney General’s office, because it was believed the suspect was unarmed.
The US Auto Club, in a public statement referred to East as “one of the most prolific drivers of his era.”
East won three USAC national driving titles and was the son of USAC Hall of Fame car builder Bob East. According to their statement, he picked up 11 career victories, which ranks ninth all-time.
