Two suspects have been arrested in connection with a string of deadly robberies at 7-Eleven stores in Southern California, officials said.
Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer announced the arrests Friday evening. A multi-agency press briefing was held at 5 p.m. local time to discuss the investigation. He was joined by the police chiefs of Brea, Santa Ana, La Habra and Riverside counties to discuss the crime spree at several 7-Eleven stores Monday that left two people dead and three others injured.
Police crime scene tape cordons off a parking lot after a shooting at a 7-Eleven store in Brea, California, July 11, 2022.
Eugene Garcia/AP
Authorities named Malik Patt, 20, who was the masked man in the photos, and Jason Payne, 44, both of Los Angeles, as suspects. They were arrested in Los Angeles at 1:10 p.m. Friday, and one was injured during the arrest and is being treated at a local hospital, police said.
“All of the agencies, as I said, worked cooperatively which led to the apprehension and arrest of this suspect, the primary suspect in the shooting and then the second subject who we believe was also involved in assisting the primary suspect and the series,” said Chief David Valentine from the Santa Ana Police Department.
Special Agent Monique Villegas hopes the arrest will give the victims and their families a sense of relief.
“The reason and the reason why, but it seems like it’s really chilled our communities because we know seven elevens is the quintessential convenience store. And so I know our department has been approached by a lot of patrons, employees and owners of our 711 stores and that’s where our community shops and so we’re thankful for them as well,” Villegas said.
Santa Ana Mayor Vicente Sarmiento shared how the community has reached out as events unfold.
“We know that seven elevens is the typical convenience store. And so I know our department has been approached by a lot of patrons, employees and owners of our 711 stores and that’s where our community shops and so we’re thankful for them as well,” he said.
Board of Supervisors President Doe Chafee said a victim assistance fund has been set up for the families of the two victims and assistance will be provided to all those affected.
Spitzer said he would press charges Monday, including first-degree murder and aggravated battery. Spitzer said he wanted to make sure the prime suspect had no chance of going free.
“It was a reign of terror. Thinking you’re going to a convenience store or a donation drive or a sandwich shop and getting shot in the face to call your loved ones. With his last breaths. Or being a clerk behind the counter just helping another customer because you’re working and trying to get back on your feet because you’ve been through the school of hard knocks,” Spitzer said.
“You were addicted and you work at 711 because they gave you a chance to resurrect your life. And then someone comes and transacts and shoots you and kills you.
Spitzer will hold another press conference next week.
Authorities said they were investigating whether the six separate robberies, which took place over a five-hour period, were connected.
An armed robbery was reported at a 7-Eleven in Upland at 12:37 a.m. Monday, Upland police said.
Santa Ana police said they believe the same gunman fatally shot a man in the parking lot of a 7-11 about three hours later. The victim has been identified by police as 24-year-old Matthew Rule.
An employee was fatally shot at a 7-Eleven in Brea shortly after 4 a.m. Monday, police said. He was identified by the Brea Police Department as Matthew Hirsch, 40, of La Habra. Police have released surveillance photos of a suspect in the shooting.
The Brea Police Department said they believe the same suspect also robbed a 7-Eleven in La Habra 20 minutes later, shooting a customer and a worker.
A customer at the 7-Eleven in Riverside was also shot around 1:50 a.m. Monday.
7-Eleven is offering a $100,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction, the company said.
It’s unclear if the shootings were related to Free Slurpee Day, celebrating the chain’s July 11-July 11 birthday.
ABC News’ Teddy Grant and Izzy Alvarez contributed to this report.
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