$20,000 Reward Offered in Newport Shooting

The parent company of Wienerschnitzel has posted a $20,000 reward for information leading to the capture and conviction of a gunman who last month shot one of the fast-food company’s executives.

Officials with Galardi Group of Newport Beach said Friday that they hope the money will encourage someone to step forward with an identification of the man wanted for the Aug. 29 attempted murder of Beverly J. Blake.

The 48-year-old vice president was attacked as she sat in her Mercedes-Benz in the driveway of her Harbor View home. Blake has been released from a local hospital after being treated for gunshot wounds to her side and arms, said Newport Beach Sgt. Andy Gonis.

“Right now we’re looking for help on this case,” Gonis said. “One of the big reasons the reward has been offered is to generate some new leads to solve this crime.”

Jim Caulfield, general counsel of the Galardi Group, said the seemingly random attack has stunned employees.

“We don’t understand why something like this happens,” Caulfield said Friday. “It seems so senseless. All of this kind of violence is, I suppose.”

The suspect is described as 35 to 40, 6-foot-1 and 230 to 250 pounds. He is black with black hair, brown eyes, husky shoulders and arms, and a slight belly.

The gunman was wearing a dark shirt with dark pants and a blue baseball cap. He fled the scene in a relatively new Pontiac, dark in color, possibly maroon. Witnesses in the Newport Beach neighborhood reported seeing the man in the area before, and one managed to get a partial license plate number.

Anyone with information is asked to call (714) 644-3754 or (800) 550-6273.