A 68-year-old woman visiting the United States from New Zealand was killed in a botched robbery in an upscale Southern California Mall.
The woman was identified as Patricia McKay of Auckland.
The Newport Beach Police Department says McKay was walking with her husband Doug when two men, one armed with a handgun, attempted to rob them. The robbers were apparently after her husband's watch.
Police say that she was hit by a third suspect who was driving a white sedan. McKay died at the scene.
The suspect with the gun fired three rounds during the robbery but police say no one was hit by a bullet.
All three suspects took off from the scene in the car. Police saw it and started a pursuit that ended up on the busy 405 freeway.
During the chase the vehicle stopped and one of the suspects ran away but was quickly captured.
The other car continued into Los Angeles County where police say the other two suspects got out and tried to run. Officers were able to find and arrest them.
Police identified the three suspects as Leroyernest Joseph McCrary, 26, of Compton, Jaden Cunningham, 18, of Lancaster, and Malachi Eddward Darnell, 18, of Los Angeles.
They face homicide, robbery and conspiracy charges, according to KTLA-TV.
A spokesperson for McKay's family issued a statement saying: ""No words can express their sadness as we try to come to terms with the loss of our mother, wife, and friend Patricia."
Her husband is Doug McKay, a prominent Auckland businessman and the former chair of BNZ's board, RNZ reported.
Auckland's Deputy Mayor Desley Simpson said she was "beyond devastated" about the killing and "in absolute shock."
