
An elderly woman from New Zealand was tragically killed in Newport Beach, California, after an attempted armed robbery outside a mall. According to the Newport Beach Police Department, the incident took place at the Fashion Island shopping center on Tuesday afternoon.
Patricia McKay, 68, and her husband were approached by two men near a Barnes and Noble bookstore at around 3:30 p.m. The suspects attempted to rob the couple, who bravely resisted. During the struggle, a white Toyota Camry, the getaway car, arrived at the scene. One of the suspects fired several shots but did not hit anyone.
As the suspects tried to escape, the driver of the Camry ran over McKay, who died at the scene. “Tragically and unfortunately, she was deceased there in the roadway,” said Newport Beach PD Sgt. Steve Oberon.
The suspects led police on a high-speed chase through Los Angeles, reaching speeds of up to 110 mph. They eventually abandoned the vehicle in South Gate and fled on foot but were soon captured and arrested by police. The suspects were identified as 28-year-old Leroyernest Joseph McCrary of Compton, 18-year-old Jaden Cunningham of Lancaster, and 18-year-old Malachi Darnell of Los Angeles.
Newport Beach Mayor Will O’Neill praised the quick response from law enforcement that led to the suspects’ capture. “You know, frankly, to hell with these guys,” O’Neill said. “They knew exactly what they were doing when they decided to come into our city to commit a crime, and a woman is dead because of it.”
The investigation is ongoing, and police have yet to determine what the suspects were attempting to steal. McKay’s husband was not injured during the incident.