A 69-year-old tourist from New Zealand was struck by a car and killed in a botched robbery attempt outside of a Newport Beach, California shopping mall on July 2, according to police.
According to Newport Beach Police Sgt. Steven Oberon, the woman and her husband were near the Barnes & Noble at the Fashion Island mall when they were approached by two men, one of whom was armed.
When the men attempted to rob the couple, a struggle ensued and the woman, later identified as Patricia McKay, was dragged into the parking lot.
The armed suspect fired three shots during the robbery but no one was hit. When the shooting began, Fashion Island officials locked down the mall as people in the parking lot scrambled to safety.
According to witnesses, a third suspect driving a white Toyota Camry pulled up to the scene and the two would-be robbers got into the vehicle. As the Camry fled the scene, the driver ran over McKay, killing her.
Police pursued the suspects into Los Angeles County, with the Camry speeding north at up to 110 mph.
During the police chase, the driver pulled over to let one of the men out before speeding away. The remaining two occupants of the vehicle jumped out in South Gate and fled on foot.
The suspects were eventually apprehended and identified as 26-year-old Leroyernest McCrary, 18-year-old Jaden Cunningham, and 18-year-old Malachi Darnell.
Sgt. Oberon said McKay’s husband was not injured in the incident.
Newport Beach Mayor Will O’Neill told a local news outlet that violent crimes typically do not happen in his city. He described the Fashion Island mall as “an incredibly safe place.”
O’Neill said of the suspects that they came into Newport Beach planning to “commit crime” and now a woman was dead. “To hell with these guys,” O’Neill said.
