Bobby East murder suspect Trent Millsap killed and police dog shot in SWAT raid after Nascar driver stabbed to death
THE man suspected of stabbing NASCAR driver Bobby East to death at a gas station has reportedly been killed in a police SWAT raid.
A SWAT team with a search warrant entered an apartment where suspect Trent Millsap, 27, was located on Friday, police said.
Millsap was shot dead in an officer-involved shooting during the raid, when the authorities were trying to arrest him, ABC News reported.
A K9 police unit suffered a single gunshot wound and is recovering.
The Orange County DA is investigating the incident that occurred two days after the murder of Bobby East.
East, a three-time USAC national champion, died at age 37, after Millsap allegedly stabbed him at a gas station in California.
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East suffered a stab wound in the chest at a 76 gas station in Westminster at 5:51pm on Wednesday.
A statement from Westminster Police Department (WOPD) said:
"The victim was found on the ground suffering from a serious stab wound to the chest area.
"Officers attempted life saving measures until OCFA paramedics arrived and transported the victim to a local trauma centre, where the victim succumbed to his injury."
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East is a California native who raced professionally in NASCAR, USAC, and ARCA.
He started his racing career at nine years old in quarter midgets.
At 16 years old, East became the youngest driver to win a national feature race at the Illiana Motor Speedway in Indiana.
After winning more than 20 national USAC events, East made his debut in the NASCAR Busch Series in 2005 at Memphis Motorsports Park, which he took 17th place in.
In 2007, he raced a Food 300 at the NASCAR Xfinity Series at Homestead-Miami, which would be his last race.
Paying tribute to the passing of Bobby East, The US Auto Club (USAC) said in a statement:
"Bobby East, one of the most prolific drivers of his era and a three-time USAC National Champion driver in USAC Silver Crown and Midgets, passed away on the night of July 13, 2022, in southern California."
"Born in Torrance, California but making his home throughout his racing career in Brownsburg, Indiana, East captured 56 career USAC-sanctioned feature victories, 48 of them in national divisions."
Communications Manager at ARCA, Charles Krall said:
"I have the best memories of working with Bobby East."
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"In an open wheel car, there was no one better. So sorry to hear the news today."
"My love and thoughts are with his parents Bob and Janice, and the entire East family. Race in peace Bobby."