A tragic incident unfolded on Tuesday afternoon at Fashion Island in Newport Beach, California, resulting in the death of a 69-year-old woman. The Newport Beach Police Department reported that the woman and her husband were walking near a Barnes & Noble around 3:30 p.m. when they were confronted by two armed men attempting to rob them.
A struggle ensued between the couple and the robbers. During the altercation, one of the suspects fired several shots at the woman and her husband before fleeing. The woman was then dragged into the parking lot, where she was struck by a car driven by the other suspect, who subsequently fled the scene. Tragically, the woman was pronounced dead at the scene.
The suspects led police on a high-speed chase, reaching speeds of up to 110 mph. The pursuit ended when the men abandoned their vehicle and attempted to escape on foot. Officers managed to apprehend both suspects and also arrested a third individual in connection with the fatal attack. The identities of the suspects and the victims have not been disclosed by officials.
Newport Beach Mayor Will O’Neill expressed his outrage over the incident. “You know, frankly, to hell with these guys,” O’Neill told KTLA. “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 violent series of events began after 3:30 p.m. when the three men, one from Cypress and two others from Los Angeles County, attempted to rob the 68-year-old woman and her husband in front of Barnes & Noble. “There was a struggle, and at which point, we believe the suspects dragged her into the street,” said Sgt. Steven Oberon of the Newport Beach Police Department.
As the suspects tried to flee, two of them got into a white sedan while another took off on foot, firing his weapon multiple times. The suspects’ car struck the woman as they rushed to leave the scene, resulting in her death. She was identified as a 68-year-old visitor from New Zealand.
Mayor O’Neill reiterated his condemnation of the suspects. “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.”
O’Neill also sought to reassure shoppers that such violent crimes are not common at the popular mall. “Fashion Island does not experience crime like this, it just doesn’t,” the mayor said. “I can guarantee you that our friends at Fashion Island are going to be stepping up their security, stepping up their approach to this.”
The suspects traveled more than 30 miles from the Newport Beach mall and ended up in South Gate near Harding Avenue and Paramount Boulevard, close to the 105 Freeway. Police said two of the suspects ditched their car in the South Gate neighborhood, became separated, and started running. They were eventually taken into custody. A third person was arrested in Cypress, roughly halfway between South Gate and Newport Beach.
The investigation into the attempted armed robbery and subsequent fatality is ongoing. Authorities are working to piece together the events that led to the tragic death of the woman. The Newport Beach Police Department is urging anyone with information about the incident to come forward.
This incident has left the community in shock and mourning. The senseless act of violence has not only taken a life but also shattered the sense of security in a place where such crimes are rare. As the investigation continues, the community is left grappling with the aftermath of this tragic event.
Source: KTLA, Newport Beach Police Department
