NASCAR Driver Bobby East identified as victim stabbed to death at Westminster gas station

Former NASCAR driver Bobby East, 37, was identified by officials as the person killed at an Orange County gas station on Wednesday.

The suspect was identified by the Westminster Police Department as Trent Williams Millsap, 28.

RELATED: Westminster police searching for suspect in fatal stabbing at 76 Gas Station

East, a native of San Dimas, raced on the NASCAR, U.S. Auto Club and Automobile Racing Club of America circuits. He was a three-time USAC champion.

NASCAR released a statement regarding East's death.

"NASCAR is saddened to learn of the tragic death of Bobby East. We extend our deepest and heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Bobby, a true racer," the statement read.

East and Millsap got into a dispute around 5:45 p.m. on Wednesday at the 76 gas station, located at 6322 Westminster Blvd.

He apparently had words with Millsap, a transient known to frequent Westminster, Garden Grove and Anaheim, according to Sgt. Eddie Esqueda of the Westminster PD.

Millsap allegedly stabbed East in the chest. Officers were sent to the gas station at 5:51 p.m. and East was rushed to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Westminster police received information Friday that Millsap was in an apartment on the 3300 block of Lincoln Avenue in Anaheim, said Commander Kevin MacCormick of the WPD.

A SWAT team was sent to the location and during the service of a search warrant, an officer involved shooting unfolded and Millsap was shot.

He succumbed to his injuries at UC Irvine Medical Center, according to Westminster PD.

John Christiano, who lives near the station, told CBSLA Reporter Laurie Perez that he watched first responders work on East.

"He was on there and the cops really intensely trying to help him with his wound," Christiano said.

East, who is the son of a USAC Hall of Fame car builder Bob East, was hanging around the gas station in recent weeks, Christiano told Perez.

Additionally, a police K-9 suffered a nonfatal gunshot wound.

The K-9 was transferred to a local veterinarian where it received treatment and was later released home.

Cypress PD shared an image on Saturday of Kubo, the injured German Shepard who primarily assisted the West County SWAT team.