Fashion Island

An attempted heist gone wrong. An overrun visitor was slain. At an upmarket Newport Beach mall, violence breaks out.

An entrance to Newport Beach's Fashion Island mall is barred by police tape.

Tuesday's peaceful summer day at the posh Fashion Island mall in Newport Beach turned violent as a failed robbery attempt resulted in the death of a lady. Authorities reported that the 69-year-old tourist and her spouse were approached by two males outside the mall's Barnes & Noble bookstore. Although there were gunshots, according to the authorities, no one was hit.

Patricia McKay, a visitor from New Zealand, was recognized as the woman, the Newport Beach Police Department said in a news release on Wednesday. According to police Sgt. Steven Oberon, the couple was approached by two males who tried to rob them while they were strolling around Fashion Island.

After a fight, a third suspect's white Toyota Camry ran over McKay as they were being dragged into a parking lot, according to the police. No further injuries were reported.

Following the incident, police began chasing the suspects, leading them into Los Angeles County. According to the authorities, the Camry raced northward at up to 110 mph. The vehicle was seen driving on the 105 Freeway's left shoulder and briefly brushing the concrete center median on video taken by a television news chopper.

Police said that during the chase, the getaway driver stopped in Cypress to let at least one accomplice out before continuing on with another man. Ultimately, the two leaped from the vehicle near South Gate, making their way on foot along Harding and Hoover avenues, as reported by the police and captured on various TV stations' chase videos.

The accused were named by the authorities as 18-year-old Malachi Edward Darnell of Los Angeles, 18-year-old Jaden Cunningham of Lancaster, and 26-year-old Leroyernest Joseph McCrary of Compton. All three of them were charged with conspiracy, armed robbery, and murder.

Tuesday just after 3:30 p.m. at what is thought to be a typically quiet shopping area located in the affluent coastal hamlet on a hill above the ocean was the scene of the shooting.

According to the Newport Beach Fire Department, a body was discovered in the parking lot next to the bookshop.

By 4 p.m., the authorities alerted the locals to stay away from the shopping center while they conducted their investigation. Helicopters were flying overhead, and police were visible on the scene directing the populace to safety. At the moment, a woman who was shopping nearby called the incident a "hullabaloo." Los Angeles is her hometown, and she expressed her gratitude for the prompt response from the police. She refused to identify herself.

A young man who wished to remain anonymous claimed to have witnessed the incident while at Fashion Island's Cucina Enoteca.

About twenty individuals screamed, "Someone's shooting!" as they ran. He remarked, "They locked us in the restaurant." Newport Beach Mayor Will O'Neill told KCAL-TV News, "This doesn't happen in Newport Beach." 

"Fashion Island is a really secure location. This is tragic, and my anger is with you. This report was supported in part by City News Service. Staff writers for the Times are Winton, Rainey, and Solis. Staff writers Nguyen and Hoffman work for The Times' sister publication, the Daily Pilot.