The 7-Eleven convenience store chain offered a $100,000 award Wednesday for leads on a masked gunman who is suspected of robbing six Southern California stores, killing two people, and injuring three others.
Local authorities said they were seeking the same gunman in at least four of the crimes and shared surveillance photos of the masked suspect who wore what appeared to be the same black sweatshirt with a hood over his head. The black sweatshirt had white lettering with green leaves on the front.
The crimes occurred in San Bernardino, Riverside, and Orange counties on July 11, or 7/11, the day when the company celebrates its anniversary.
Investigators have not released information on whether the date is significant to the crimes. It remains unclear what motivated the attacks.
Victims who were shot and killed in Brea and Santa Ana were identified Monday by family and the authorities.
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Matthew Hirsch, 40, was a store clerk 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.
The 7-Eleven robberies in Ontario, Upland, Riverside and La Habra are also believed to be linked, according to local police.
A customer was gravely wounded at a Riverside store and two people were shot in La Habra but were expected to survive, authorities said.
“We are currently working with the local police to spread the news in the community” about the reward, 7-Eleven officials said in a statement to the Associated Press. Those with any information or tips can anonymously contact Orange County Crime Stoppers.
Contributing: The Associated Press