Police say three men were arrested following the incident. Photo: KCAL News / CBS / Screenshot The woman was hit by a car and killed during a robbery in Newport Beach on Tuesday (local time). Newport Beach police have named the woman as Patricia McKay, 68.
McKay was killed outside the Fashion Island shopping centre about 3.30pm. US media are reporting she was with her husband.
RNZ's correspondent in California Ira Spitzer told Morning Report it was an "upscale" shopping centre in an Orange County town about an hour away from downtown Los Angeles. "It is typically a relatively safe place, not somewhere where people would be scared to walk around in a shopping centre." California had seen an increase in car break-ins, car jackings and armed robberies in recent times, Spitzer said.
The victim was identified as 68-year-old Patricia McKay who police say was visiting the area from New Zealand with her husband. https://t.co/0IFhGbp5e5 — FOX 11 Los Angeles (@FOXLA) July 3, 2024 He said McKay's death was likely to reignite debate about recent law changes to lower the consequences for those stealing goods worth less than US$900.
Local man Jim Shab told CBS News it was a nice shopping area in a generally calm area. "There's a lot of wealth in this area so I guess people come where the wealth is." Newport Beach Mayor Will O'Neill said McKay's death was a heartbreaking tragedy.
"We're mourning the loss of someone today, a loss that never should have happened. Frankly, the hell with thes.
