Cashier ID'd In Deadly Lake Elsinore 'Senseless Act of Violence' At Circle K Store

LAKE ELSINORE, CA — A store clerk at a Lake Elsinore convenience store died in an early morning shooting Wednesday, store representatives say. The cashier at the Circle K, 16331 Lakeshore Drive, had been "a part of the Circle K family" for 12 years.

“We are saddened by the passing of our longtime cashier and member of our team who was involved in a fatal incident this morning during a senseless act of violence at our Lake Elsinore store," Circle K representatives said in a statement shared with Patch.

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends, as we fully cooperate with authorities to bring this crime to justice," the statement continued. "We have also extended full support to our employees at the store and in the area."

The company has since identified the clerk as Eric Whitcomb of Wildomar. They've also created a GoFundMe page to help his family after Wednesday's tragedy.

"Eric Whitcomb was a loyal and longtime member of the Circle K family," the page states. "After 12 years on the job, there is without a doubt a hole in the hearts of all who knew Eric."

Though sheriff's officials won't confirm many details about the shooting, they tell Patch they received a report of an assault with a deadly weapon at 5:20 a.m. in the 16300 block of Lakeshore Drive. They arrived at the scene and found one victim.

The agency then announced Wednesday afternoon via a Twitter posting that a person of interest had been detained for questioning, but no other information was provided, including mention of a possible motive.

"It's in the hands of our Central Homicide Unit, so it's up to them whatever details are released now," Deputy Armando Munoz told City News Service.

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