According to police reports, an attempted robbery at Fashion Island in Newport Beach resulted in the tragic death of a 69-year-old woman on Tuesday afternoon.
Around 3:30 p.m., authorities were called to the vicinity near the Barnes & Noble bookstore.
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The Newport Beach Police Department reported that two suspects abruptly approached a couple while they were taking a walk.
According to the police, the couple was targeted by robbers who attempted to steal from them. The situation escalated into a physical altercation before the suspects fled the scene in a white Toyota Camry.
According to Steve Oberon, Public Information Officer for Newport Beach Police, during the incident, one suspect chose to flee on foot while the vehicle attempted to escape. In the process, the vehicle hit a female victim. After the male suspect rejoined the vehicle, shots were fired from a handgun before the vehicle fled the scene.
At first, it was reported that the woman had been shot, but the police later clarified that she had been hit and killed by the Camry. Fortunately, no one was injured by the gunfire, as confirmed by the authorities.
At a press conference on Tuesday, the police reported that during the robbery, one of the suspects had pulled the woman onto the street.
After a short chase, law enforcement apprehended three individuals suspected of being involved in the incident.
According to authorities, law enforcement officials were able to make three arrests in connection to the case. One of the suspects was apprehended in Cypress, while the other two were taken into custody in South Gate, located in Los Angeles County.
As AIR7 flew overhead, it captured a tense scene in South Gate where Newport Beach police officers had surrounded a house. Some of the officers had their guns drawn, and were pointing them towards the back of the house.
Shopping mall scare
As the mayhem unfolded, one woman who works just a few storefronts down from where the shooting occurred stated that she initially had no idea what was going on.
“A lady entered with her daughter, screaming, ‘There’s a shooter!'” “There is a shooter,” she recalled. “We ended up locking down with a lot of customers in there and then waiting.”
Authorities say a suspect’s car killed a 69-year-old woman after robbing her and her husband at Fashion Island in Newport Beach on Tuesday afternoon.
The employee reported that they closed her store for about an hour before releasing everyone.
“There were just a lot of people who were afraid—just a very scary thing when you’re working,” she told me.
We need to do better as a society. We cannot allow this.
Newport Beach Mayor Will O’Neill slammed the suspects, branding them “creeps” and condemning the “astonishing, staggering” act.
“Newport Beach is a safe community, and we are mourning the loss of someone,” he stated. “Honestly, to hell with these men… They are goons. Every town is currently grappling with these issues. We need to do better as a society. We cannot put up with this.
O’Neill applauded law enforcement for apprehending the three male suspects, but added, “None of that brings her back.”
O’Neill emphasized that the mall’s proprietors provide “phenomenal security” and a safe environment for shoppers.
“Frankly, I would have no problem returning here with my family.”
This incident is still under investigation.
