Murder in the Mountains: Pasadena Detectives Investigate Man’s Shooting Death Along Angeles Crest Highway

Pasadena Robbery/Homicide Unit detectives were in the mountains north of Pasadena early Saturday morning after California Highway Patrol officers called them to investigate the shooting death of a 32-year-old man.

The CHP officers had arrived at the scene of a single-vehicle collision on Angeles Crest Highway at mile marker 28.36 at 3:21 a.m. where they found a sedan with collision damage occupied by two adults.

The driver, a man, was unresponsive. While attempting life-saving measures, officers realized the man had sustained multiple gunshot wounds.

He was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency personnel. Police identified the victim as Jessie Munoz of Los Angeles.

The female passenger was not injured.

Since that area of Angeles Crest Highway falls under the jurisdiction of the City of Pasadena, the Pasadena Police Department was notified of the homicide. Patrol officers responded to the crime scene and assumed operational command.

Detectives from Pasadena’s RHU immediately launched the follow-up investigation.

Pasadena police Lt. Monica Cuellar said the motive for the shooting “appears to be robbery.”

The investigation is ongoing, and anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Pasadena Police Department at (626) 744-4241.