For the first time, a New Zealand woman has been captured on camera as she was murdered by a gang of robbers in front of her shocked husband at a luxury shopping mall in California.
Patricia “Trish” McKay, 68, and her husband Doug were at the Fashion Island Mall in Newport Beach when they were approached by two men on Tuesday.
A struggle ensued, during which one of the men fled on foot, firing a firearm several times, sources said.
McKay was then dragged into the parking lot, while the two men got into a car driven by a third person.
As the suspects fled, they struck McKay and continued shooting as they pursued police at high speed.
Patricia “Trish” McKay, 68, and her husband Doug, seen here, were at the Fashion Island Mall in Newport Beach when they were approached by two men on Tuesday
A struggle ensued, with one of the men fleeing on foot, firing multiple shots from a handgun, according to reports. The mall is seen here
The McKay family said in a statement: “No words can express our sorrow as we try to cope with the loss of our mother, wife and friend Patricia.
“We ask for privacy as we process this as a family.”
McKay and her husband lived in Auckland. Her neighbours told the New Zealand Herald they were shocked by her death.
Someone told the newspaper that McKay was just beginning to enjoy life as a grandmother and that she was “loving it.”
“We are all in shock. She was a sweet, sweet woman,” the neighbor added, while another said it was “so tragic.”
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon posted on social media: “My thoughts are with the McKay family on the terrible loss of Trish.
“They are wonderful people and my condolences go out to Doug, their family and everyone who knew Trish.”
While Auckland’s deputy mayor, Desley Simpson, added: “I am beyond devastated. Trish was amazing – funny, loyal and loving.
“My deepest condolences to Doug and her family. In absolute shock.”
Officers tracked the suspects following the violent attack in Los Angeles County after two suspects jumped from the water near Los Alamitos.
As the suspects escaped, they ran over McKay and continued shooting as they led police on a high-speed chase. One of them is arrested here
All three were arrested on suspicion of murder, robbery with a firearm and conspiracy
The suspects’ car reached speeds of 110 mph during the chase on the 105 Freeway. Two jumped out of the car and began running around a South Gate neighborhood.
Police found one of the men hiding behind garbage bins outside a house and arrested him.
They also tracked down and arrested two other suspects in the deadly attack.
Newport Beach Police officers identified the suspects as Jaden Cunningham, 18, of Lancaster, Malachi Edward Darnell, 18, of Los Angeles and Leroyernest Joseph McCrary, 26, of Compton.
All three were arrested on suspicion of murder, weapons robbery and conspiracy.
According to the LA Times, McCrary has a history of crimes in LA County and was arrested in October 2022 on drug charges and firearm possession.
The following year, he pleaded guilty to a felony and in September 2023, he was charged with robbery, again pleading guilty to a felony.
DA George Gascón, pictured here, is a progressive prosecutor who has openly stated that he believes the criminal justice system should focus more on intervention and rehabilitation
For this, he was given a concurrent sentence for both convictions and was given two years’ probation and three years’ imprisonment, with the sentence suspended.
Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón is a progressive prosecutor who openly argues that the criminal justice system needs to be more focused on intervention and rehabilitation, calling the “tough on crime” policy racist and a failure.
Mayor Will O’Neill said he was “furious” when he heard the news of the attack, which he described as “appalling”.
“I am shocked. I mourn the loss of someone who died in our city because of crime. This is a tragedy and I am outraged.
“Newport Beach is a safe community and we are grieving the loss of someone,” he said.
“Honestly, to hell with these guys. … These are thugs. Every community is dealing with this right now. We have to do better as a society. We can’t tolerate this.”