7-Eleven shootings: 2 suspects arrested in string of SoCal robberies that left 2 dead, 3 injured

The two suspects in the string of robberies and shootings -- including two killings -- at several 7-Eleven stores in Southern California have been identified as Malik Patt, 20, and Jason Payne, 44.

During a joint news conference Friday held by several local law enforcement agencies, authorities said Patt is believed to be the suspect seen in surveillance images from the various stores that were targeted. Payne's connection to the crimes has not been revealed.

Meanwhile, Los Angeles police Deputy Chief Alan Hamilton said a fatal shooting that occurred on July 9 in the 16100 block of Parthenia Street has been linked to the 7-Eleven crime spree, and at least one of the suspects is also believed to be tied to "a number of crimes'' in the L.A. area.

The development in the investigation comes two days after the convenience store chain offered a $100,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the masked gunman.

Along with the fatalities, three other victims were wounded in the attacks.

Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer said he planned on filing murder charges next week stemming from shootings that occurred during a robbery spree in Brea and Santa Ana on Monday. He said Patt will be charged in a way that will lead to no bail.

Spitzer said any trial will be held in one county for all of the alleged crimes. He said he would discuss the best way to handle it with fellow top prosecutors in Riverside, Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties.

Man recovering after being shot in face during SoCal 7-Eleven robbery

A man who survived getting shot in the face during a string of Southern California 7-Eleven robberies early Monday is sharing his harrowing story after he was released from a hospital.

A clerk, Matthew Hirsch, 40, was shot and killed at a Brea store and Matthew Rule, 24, was gunned down in the parking lot of a Santa Ana store during a five-hour string of holdups Monday morning.

"Thank you from the Rule family to the law enforcement individuals who worked diligently and tirelessly to get this criminal off the street," said Rule's father, Johne Rule. "Thanks and bless you."

Police in Ontario, Upland, Riverside and La Habra have said they believe 7-Eleven robberies there also are linked.

A customer was shot in the head and gravely wounded at a Riverside store and two people, one of them a clerk, were shot in La Habra but were expected to survive.

"I am so relieved that this man has been caught and that justice will be served," said Kaya Harrel, the Riverside victim's daughter. "However, there is no punishment equal the pain this has caused my family as well as the other families involved."

One victim, Russell Browning, 60, lost many of his teeth when the gunman shot him in the mouth as he sat in his car. The bullet came out through his cheek.

Browning had picked up milk and doughnuts at the store and was heading to his job as a truck driver, his family said.

Dad mourns son killed in SoCal 7-Eleven shootings: 'The minute he is doing well somebody shoots him'

Matthew Hirsch was just turning his life around after decades of battling drug addiction, but his life ended when a masked shooter gunned down the 40-year-old clerk inside a 7-Eleven store in Brea.

"I think you know my heart," read a statement issued by the Browning family. "We are relieved that he is caught and can't hurt any others. That of course gives us peace of mind. But we still grieve for the others. Thank you."

In the immediate aftermath of the crimes, authorities shared images of a masked man wearing what appeared to be the same black sweatshirt with a hood over his head. The sweatshirt had white lettering with green leaves on the front.

Orange County Board of Supervisors Chairman Doug Chaffee said the board on Tuesday will set up a fund to benefit the victims of the crime spree.

"We want to be certain those injured are taken care of,'' Chaffee said.

Santa Ana Mayor Vicente Sarmieno said the shootings "chilled'' the community because of their "depravity and randomness.'' He praised law enforcement for the quick arrests.

"Sometimes these things are never solved, but this happened in five days,'' Sarmiento said.

Brea Police Chief Adam Hawley said, "These crimes have undeniably broken our hearts.''

Spitzer called the shootings a "reign of terror.''

All the attacks took place on July 11 - or 7/11, the day when the company celebrates its anniversary. However, investigators haven't said whether the date may have played a significant role in the attacks.

7-Eleven has since issued the following statement:

"We are grateful that the Orange County District Attorney has announced local law enforcement has apprehended a suspect related to the recent violent incidents. We will continue to fully support law enforcement with their investigation."

City News Service and the Associated Press contributed to this report.