Guard Hit by Gunfire at Mall

A security guard was wounded Tuesday night when three men in dark trench coats and ski masks tried to rob a Fashion Island jewelry store, Newport Beach police said.

The guard, whose identity was not released, was airlifted to a local hospital and was reported to be in serious condition. The extent of his injuries was not immediately available. No other injuries were reported.

Sgt. Steve Shulman, a spokesman for the Newport Beach Police Department, said three men approached the front door of Traditional Jewelers at 7:25 p.m., shortly before closing. Two armed guards inside the store, which occupies a large area at the center of the mall, approached the front door, apparently to investigate, police said.

It was unclear who opened fire, but shots were exchanged, shattering the large glass door, Shulman said.

According to witnesses and shell casings at the scene, the gunmen used assault-type rifles, Shulman said. Police did not know how many rounds were fired.

One of the guards was hit once, possibly twice, Shulman said. Seconds after the shots were fired, the three gunmen ran to a nearby parking lot and left in a dark BMW, he said.

Police said an unknown number of employees and customers were in the store during the shooting.

Police sealed off a large area of the mall during the investigation, but stores remained open until its regular closing time, 9 p.m.

Shopper Christine Mandilakis of Newport Beach, who was two doors down from the jewelry store when the shooting happened, said she heard “a large crash and bang, like firecrackers. We thought something had been dropped. It didn’t cross my mind that it was caused by shots.”