Shooting Suspect Died in Pasadena of Self-Inflicted Gunshot Wound, Coroner Reports

A 20-year-old man suspected of fatally shooting a girl he had been dating in Arcadia died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound in Pasadena, the Los Angeles County medical examiner’s office said.

Pasadena police located Cruz in the 800 block of South Arroyo Parkway about an hour after the Arcadia shooting on October 22, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said in a news release. Officers saw him shoot himself, Pasadena police Lt. Thomas Blanchard said.

An officer began lifesaving measures, including CPR, until Pasadena firefighters and paramedics arrived. Pasadena police did not fire their weapons during the incident, city spokesperson Lisa Derderian said.

Paul Anthony Cruz Jr. died at a hospital Oct. 23, according to the medical examiner’s office, which ruled the death a suicide caused by a gunshot wound to the head. The office listed recent cocaine use and acute depression as other significant conditions.

The Arcadia shooting happened about 11:07 a.m. in the 800 block of West Huntington Drive, the department said. Investigators said Cruz forced his way into a home before the girl was shot inside. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

The department described the victim as a juvenile but did not release her name. She was later identified in media reports as 15-year-old Mina Kurdian in Arcadia

Arcadia police had alerted neighboring agencies to the shooting before Pasadena officers located Cruz. The sheriff’s department is leading the investigation into the Pasadena shooting, and sheriff’s homicide detectives are assisting Arcadia police in the girl’s killing. The medical examiner’s case remains open.

Anyone with information is asked to call the sheriff’s Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 or at lacrimestoppers.org.

If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.