Newport Beach victim Patricia McKay wife of prominent Auckland ...

“We ask for privacy at this time as we work through this as a family.”

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon called Trish McKay’s death “an absolute tragedy”, telling Newstalk ZB’s Kerre Woodham he knew her husband Doug McKay very well.

”He’s a great man and it’s a great family…I think the family will be in huge shock and all our thoughts and prayers are with them,” he said.

“They’re top people.”

Auckland Deputy Mayor Desley Simpson posted a message on social media saying she was “beyond devastated” to hear of McKay’s death.

“Trish was the wife of Doug McKay who was [amongst other significant roles] the inaugural CEO of the amalgamated Auckland Council.

“Trish was amazing - funny, loyal, and loving. My absolute deepest sympathies to Doug and her family. In absolute shock.”

Auckland Council chief executive Phil Wilson said staff and elected members are shocked and saddened by the news of Patricia McKay’s death.

“Our thoughts are with Doug and the family.”

The Eden Park Trust Board, where Doug served as chair for eight years, said the couple were an important part of the Auckland stadium.

“We are devastated to hear of Trish McKay’s passing. Trish and Doug were an integral part of Eden Park, and our thoughts are with Doug and the McKay family.

“Trish was a kind and compassionate soul. Her loss will be felt profoundly by The Eden Park Trust Board and staff.”

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it was assisting McKay’s family and had opened an investigation.

Witnesses describe fatal struggle

Witnesses have detailed McKay’s final moments as she fought back against her armed attackers before being run down by a car.

The Los Angeles Times reported a struggle ensued when McKay was approached by the two men, who then dragged her into a parking lot.

A third man driving a white sedan ran over McKay before the two men fired shots as they led police on a high-speed chase into Los Angeles County.

Marnie Knaw told the Herald she was meeting a friend at the mall when armed men started shooting at the public.

She said her friend saw 50 people run into the nearby Starbucks, but he ran out and saw McKay on the ground.

Knaw said a member of the public ran out and “clotheslined” one of the attackers - meaning he stuck out his arm to strike the man as he ran, knocking him to the ground.

She claimed this spooked the attackers; one ran as another jumped in the car with a third offender before they ran over McKay.

Knaw was unsure what the attackers were attempting to steal but said this was a very wealthy area where “everyone is always flashing a Rolex”.

Police said the suspects opened fire as they drove away, leading officers on a cross-county pursuit that reached speeds of nearly 180km/h before their arrests.

After exiting a freeway, two more men jumped out of the car and started running around the nearby South Gate neighbourhood.

Officers located and arrested three suspects, including one found hiding behind trash cans.

Oberon said all three were arrested and booked on homicide, firearm and criminal conspiracy charges.

US correspondent Katherine Firkin told Newstalk ZB’s Mike Hosking that McKay was standing outside a bookstore with her husband when the armed men approached her.

“It appears to be a case of wrong place, wrong time,” Firkin said.

“It was just a shocking, shocking act.

“I do want to point out, Mike, that authorities keep on insisting that these sorts of things don’t happen in places like Newport Beach.”

Newport Mayor Will O’Neill described the incident to local media as a “stunning, staggering act”.

“Newport Beach is a safe community and we’re mourning the loss of someone today, a loss that never should have happened,” O’Neill said.

“It’s heartbreaking, it’s a tragedy.”

Mfat told the Herald: “New Zealand consular officials are providing assistance to the family of a New Zealander killed at Newport Beach. For privacy reasons no further information will be provided.”

Rachel Maher is an Auckland-based reporter who covers breaking news. She has worked for the Herald since 2022.