Gun Violence In Newport Beach
Posted on December 17, 2012 Written By: iadminlaw
Last Friday, a lone gunman entered an elementary school in Connecticut and opened fire. He killed himself, along with 26 people. Among the dead were 20 children.
It could have happened again at Fashion Island in Newport Beach, but it didn’t.
Sadness for far away victims turned to up-close terror Saturday evening as shots rang out at Fashion Island, sending holiday shoppers scrambling for their lives.
One person is in police custody after “at least 50 shots were fired” near the eastern Macy’s store entrance at the crowded outdoor mall. No one was hit by the shots. One person suffered a minor injury running in the aftermath of the shooting, but they were treated and released at the scene.
Late Saturday, the shooter was identified as Marcos Sarinana Gurrola of Garden Grove. Gurrola doesn’t appear to have a criminal record.
Lowe said the first 911 call was made at 4:35 p.m. She said a 42-year-old white male was in the parking lot firing shots into the air and into the ground. The shooter put the gun down, and was intercepted and arrested without a struggle by two Newport Beach bike officers.
In the parking lot, police focused their attention on a white Honda Civic with an exposed black handgun sitting on its trunk. Six shell casings were on the ground next to the car. A black jacket and Lakers cap were also sitting on the trunk of the car.
One witness said she saw the suspect in a white shirt shooting into the air. He wasn’t aiming at anyone.
Witnesses said the shooting was especially scary because the thoughts of the elementary school massacre in Newtown, Connecticut, where 26 people were killed Friday, were still fresh in their minds.
Witnesses said they began hearing shots just before 5 p.m. The sound triggered mass chaos and confusion.
Mobs of people ran away from Macy’s. They ducked into clothing stores, the movie theater and other businesses.
In the aftermath of the shooting, Orange County Sheriffs deputies could be seen patrolling the outdoor mall in flak jackets and military-style helmets and carrying rifles.
The suspect was standing next to his vehicle at the time of the arrest and advised officers there was more ammunition in the trunk of his car. As a precautionary measure the Orange County Sheriff’s Department Bomb Squad was called in to remove the ammunition from the vehicle.
During the incident and for a short time following, several stores in Fashion Island secured their doors as a precautionary measure, however most stores remained open throughout the evening.
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