Fatal Shooting in Upper Bay : Boyfriend of Woman Slain on Boat Held

Newport Beach police have arrested the boyfriend of a 24-year-old woman who was shot to death aboard a cabin cruiser Wednesday evening.

Allan V. Colin, 34, of Newport Beach was arrested in connection with the slaying by officers responding to a gunfire report at the De Anza Bayside Village marina, a police spokesman said.

The woman, a Newport Beach resident, was found on the boat, a victim of a gunshot wound. Her identity was not released pending notification of family.

The couple had been seen arguing earlier Wednesday while they made preparations to put to sea aboard a 26-foot cabin cruiser, according to Randy Mettler, who has a boat moored directly opposite the couple’s boat.

Mettler said he worked on his boat until 6 p.m. Wednesday and had assumed that the couple were going to take the boat out that evening. He said he did not know the reason for the dispute.

Mettler said he has known Colin, who works as a carpenter, for about five years. He said the couple lived aboard the boat.

Colin was taken into custody while attempting to leave the marina on Upper Newport Bay near the intersection of Bayside Drive and East Coast Highway, officers said.

Police towed the boat to a wharf at the Orange County Harbor Patrol office in Corona del Mar for further examination by investigators.

The body was taken to the county coroner’s office, where results of an autopsy are pending, a coroner’s spokesman said.