A 68-year-old woman visiting Southern California from New Zealand was tragically killed during a failed robbery attempt at Fashion Island in Newport Beach. The incident led to a chaotic police chase across Orange and Los Angeles counties, ultimately resulting in the arrest of three suspects.
The victim, Patricia McKay, was struck and killed by the suspects’ getaway car as they fled the scene of the crime near Santa Rosa Drive and Newport Center Drive. Witnesses reported that two men, one armed with a gun, attempted to rob McKay and her husband as they walked outside the mall. During the struggle, McKay was dragged into the road and hit by the car driven by a third suspect. McKay’s husband was not injured in the incident.
“It was a tragic loss,” said Sgt. Steven Oberon of the Newport Beach Police Department. The suspects fired a handgun three times during the robbery, but no one was struck by the gunfire.
The suspects, identified as Leroyernest Joseph McCrary, 26, of Compton; Jaden Cunningham, 18, of Lancaster; and Malachi Edward Darnell, 18, of Los Angeles, led police on a high-speed chase after failing to yield for a traffic stop. One suspect exited the car in Cypress but was eventually apprehended. The other two suspects were arrested after abandoning the car in Los Angeles County.
Newport Beach Mayor Will O’Neil expressed his outrage over the incident. “To hell with these guys,” he said. “They came into our city, knowing that they were going to commit a crime, and a woman is dead today because of it.”
The robbery attempt occurred around 3:30 p.m. near the Barnes & Noble store at Fashion Island. According to Sgt. Oberon, the suspects approached McKay and her husband, leading to a struggle during which McKay was dragged into the parking lot and run over by the suspects’ white Toyota Camry. One of the suspects fled on foot, firing several shots, but no one was hit. The remaining suspects drove off in the Camry, leading to the police chase.
The suspects’ identities were not immediately released, but it was later confirmed that McCrary, Cunningham, and Darnell were involved. McCrary has a criminal history, including a previous robbery of a tourist at gunpoint in Santa Monica in 2022.
The incident shocked the Newport Beach community. “It is a shock,” said Sgt. Oberon. “It just doesn’t happen normally here.” Mayor O’Neil also emphasized the safety of the community and the mall, praising law enforcement for their swift action in apprehending the suspects. “Newport Beach is a safe community, and we’re mourning the loss of someone,” he said. “Frankly, to hell with these guys. These are thugs. Every community is now dealing with this. We have to do better as a society. We cannot tolerate this.”
The robbery startled staff and shoppers at Fashion Island, described by its owner, the Irvine Company, as “an unrivaled setting for ultra-premium shopping, dining, and lifestyle brands.” Shoppers and diners continued to visit other parts of the mall that had reopened later in the evening.
Ama Lawagy, 46, who was working at a hair care store near the scene, described the panic that ensued. “Everyone freaked out and started running,” she said. Three people ran into her store to shelter as police arrived minutes later. One woman hid with her three-year-old daughter, who was crying. They stayed locked inside, hiding for over an hour until the police gave the all-clear.
Jim Shav, a shopper, expressed his disbelief. “I’ve never witnessed anything like this,” he said. “It’s the first time I’ve been to the shopping center where they’ve shut down parts of it because of a shooting.”
As a memorial grew for Patricia McKay at Fashion Island, more details about the suspects emerged. The men were identified as Leroy McCray, 26, of Compton; Jaden Cunningham, 18, of Lancaster; and Malachi Edward Darrell, 18, of Los Angeles. Police confirmed that the trio tried to rob McKay and her husband in front of Barnes & Noble. McKay was struck and killed by the suspects’ getaway car as they left the scene.
In response to the incident, Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer released a statement criticizing Governor Gavin Newsom for his crime policies. Spitzer accused Newsom of prioritizing mass decarceration and failing to hold individuals accountable for their actions, leading to rising crime rates.
The tragic death of Patricia McKay has left a lasting impact on the Newport Beach community, highlighting the need for continued vigilance and effective crime prevention measures.
Source: City News Service, NBCLA
