5 people shot during 6 robberies at SoCal 7-Eleven stores; at least 4 connected

LA HABRA, Calif. (KABC) -- Five people were shot during the course of six robberies at 7-Eleven stores across Southern California early Monday morning and authorities are working to determine how many of the incidents are linked to the same suspect.

At least four of the incidents are believed to have been committed by the same person, while investigators are still looking into the others for connections.

Four of the incidents involved shootings and the other two were robberies without injuries reported. Two people who were shot later died.

The robberies happened over a span of five hours between multiple counties at stores in Brea, La Habra, Riverside, Upland, Santa Ana and Ontario.

Police in Brea responded to a 7-Eleven store at Lambert Road and North Brea Boulevard just after 4 a.m. and found the store clerk shot to death in what investigators believe was a robbery.

According to Brea police, that shooting is believed to be related to another shooting that left at least two people injured at a 7-Eleven store in the 300 block of East Whittier Boulevard in La Habra.

A spokesperson for the Brea Police Department said those two shootings happened about 20 minutes apart.

Police released surveillance images of the suspect they say is connected to the incidents in both those cities. Authorities released the images in the hopes of someone recognizing the suspect, who can be seen wearing a black hooded sweatshirt with white lettering.

Meanwhile, police in Upland reported an armed robbery at a 7-Eleven store located at 2100 Block Arrow Route.

Police said the suspect - believed to be the same man connected in the previous incidents - robbed the store at around 12:37 a.m.

He allegedly stole an assortment of items, including drinks, bottled wine and between $400 and $500 in cash.

Investigators released a surveillance image from that incident, which shows what they believe is the same suspect described in previous incidents.

Santa Ana police also said there is a "strong likelihood" that suspect was connected to a shooting at a 7-Eleven store in that city. A man was fatally shot around 3:25 a.m. at that store in the 300 block of East 17th Street.

Meanwhile 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 victim in that shooting was in grave condition.

There was no immediate word on whether the Riverside shooting was also connected to the others.

7-Eleven said in a statement it was gathering information and working with police. "Our hearts are with the victims and their loved ones. We are gathering information on this terrible tragedy and working with local law enforcement. Right now, our focus is on Franchisee, associate and customer safety. With that in mind, we encouraged stores in the Los Angeles area to close overnight," the statement said.

Below is a timeline of events of the reported incidents at various 7-Eleven stores on Monday, July 11, according to authorities.

12 a.m.

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 see if it was connected to the other robberies.

12:37 a.m.

Police in Upland reported an armed robbery at a 7-Eleven store located in the 2100 Block of Arrow Route.

1:50 a.m.

Riverside police reported a robbery and shooting at a 7-Eleven located at 5100 Block of La Sierra Ave. One customer was shot and remains in grave condition. Police say there was no indication the customer or store clerk did anything to provoke the gunman.

3:23 a.m.

Police say a man was shot and killed in the parking lot of the 7-Eleven store at 300 Block East 17th St. in Santa Ana. The victim was later identified as Matthew Rule, 24, of Santa Ana.

4:18 a.m.

Police say a clerk was shot and killed at a 7-Eleven store on Lambert Road and N. Brea Boulevard in Brea during a robbery. The victim was identified by his girlfriend as Matthew Hirsch, 40. His girlfriend Kristen Ewan described him as the "most caring and compassionate" person.

4:55 a.m.

A clerk and a customer were both shot and injured during a robbery at the 7-Eleven store located at 1381 E. Whittier Blvd. in La Habra, according to police.

City News Service contributed to this report.