7-Eleven offers $100,000 reward to help capture gunman in fatal robbery, shooting spree
A $100,000 reward for information is being offered by 7-Eleven to help capture the man behind a fatal robbery and shooting spree at several of its Southern California stores.
The same man is believed to be behind robberies-turned-shootings at 7-Eleven stores in Brea, La Habra, Ontario, Riverside, Santa Ana, and Upland, all in within just five hours Monday morning. Two people were killed in the shootings, and several others were left wounded.
One victim woke up from a coma Tuesday. His daughter is thankful, saying that he has already collected the strength to pull himself up from his hospital bed.
"Nobody should have to bury their child," said Selina Escamilla, the mother of Matthew Rule, who died defending a veteran at the robbery that happened in Santa Ana.
The string of deadly crimes shook their surrounding communities, and several 7-Eleven stores in those areas took the advice of its corporate parent and closed their doors. The company also urged its stores in other areas to remain wary during their riskiest hours of operation.
The gunman in the crimes, who has been linked to all but the Upland robbery, remains at large. He is described as a Black male, about 5-foot-10, and about 160 pounds. Surveillance images released by police show he wore a black hooded sweatshirt with a green and white logo on the chest, and a black mask that covered most of his face.
On Tuesday, LAPD investigators said they believed the man behind the 7-Eleven shootings may be the same suspect in a crime spree that took place Saturday in the North Hills area.
Anyone with information about the suspect or the robberies can contact Orange County Crime Stoppers at (855) TIP-OCCS (847-6227).