US police name New Zealand woman killed outside California shopping center

US police have identified the name of the New Zealand woman who was allegedly killed when she was robbed and hit by a car outside a California shopping mall as 68-year-old Patricia McKay.

McKay died after two suspects, one armed with a gun, attempted to rob her and her husband as they walked through the Fashion Island Mall in Newport, California.

Newport Beach police said she was struck by a vehicle driven by a third suspect and “tragically” died at the scene.

McKay and her husband were on vacation in the USA.

A spokesman for New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) said this morning: “New Zealand consular officials are supporting the family of a New Zealander killed in Newport Beach.”

“For privacy reasons, no further information is provided.”

Newport Beach Mayor Will O’Neill said yesterday he was “horrified.”

“I mourn the loss of someone who died in our city as a result of a crime… This is a tragedy and I am angry.”

“My condolences to Patricia McKay and her family,” he said today.

High speed chase

During the robbery, Sergeant Steve Oberon said one of the suspects fired a pistol three times, “although no one was hit by any gunfire.”

The three suspects then fled the scene in a white sedan and, after an attempted traffic stop, began a high-speed chase.

During the chase, police said the vehicle stopped in Cypress, where a suspect fled on foot and was arrested.

The vehicle then drove to Los Angeles County, where the two remaining suspects exited the vehicle and attempted to flee on foot.

The officers found the two men and arrested them.

The suspects were identified as 26-year-old Leroyernest Joseph McCrary of Compton, 18-year-old Jaden Cunningham of Lancaster and 19-year-old Malachi Eddward Darnell of Los Angeles.

The three men were taken to the NBPD jail and charged with murder, robbery with a firearm, and conspiracy.