Man Shot to Death in Cab Near Packed Pier in Newport

A man sitting in a parked taxicab was shot to death Wednesday evening in Newport Beach after an argument witnessed by at least a dozen people near a crowded pier, police said.

The 7 p.m. shooting occurred in the parking area at the Newport Pier, police said. The victim was an Asian man in his late 40s or early 50s. Two other men were arrested, police said. None of their identities were immediately available.

According to witnesses, the shooting occurred during an argument between two men who apparently were passengers in the cab. Sgt. Mike McDermott, a spokesman for the Newport Beach Police Department, said it was unclear whether the incident resulted from an argument or was a robbery attempt. He said it was unclear how the cab driver was involved.

Some witnesses told police they saw two people struggling over a gun.

It appeared only one gunshot was fired, with the bullet passing through the front passenger window after striking the man in the passenger seat, McDermott said.

The assailant ran several blocks, where he was apprehended by police, according to McDermott.

Inside Mutt Lynch’s, a nearby pub, patrons and employees hit the floor or took cover when they heard the commotion, witnesses said.

Steve Walley, who was walking along 23rd Street toward the pier when he heard the shot, said he saw a man with a gun in his hand walking around and appearing dazed.

“He was acting like he didn’t know what a gun was all about,” Walley said. “He walked up to the cop car. People were yelling, ‘Shoot the guy!’ ”

The man surrendered the gun to police, Walley said.

Robert Langner of Costa Mesa, who witnessed the scene inside Mutt Lynch’s, said: “The beach was packed. There were people walking up and down the boardwalk. It’s unbelievable, I’ve never seen anything like this. This doesn’t happen in Newport Beach.”

The two men arrested were being held late Wednesday at Newport Beach City Jail on $250,000 bail.