Political Gumbo: What’s Going on at Washington Park

Over the past three weeks, there have been two shootings at Washington Park.

Most recently on Saturday morning, police responded to Washington Park in the 700 block of West Washington Boulevard after receiving a ShotSpotter automated gunfire detection alert and found Mickey Cooper, the brother of Pasadena High School alum and Laker legend Michael Cooper, fatally wounded with multiple gunshot wounds, according to Pasadena City spokesperson Lisa Derderian.

He was pronounced dead at the scene.

On Monday police announced that Aaron Miguel Conell was arrested without incident, Cuellar said.

Conell, a Pasadena resident, was booked at the Pasadena Jail for a different and unrelated crime. Over the weekend, detectives obtained further evidence pertaining to the murder of Cooper.
According to Pasadena Police PIO Monica Cuellar on Monday, November 20, Conell’s booking charge was amended to include murder.
Sheriff’s Dept. online booking records indicate Conell was being held on a $1.1 million bond.
Weeks earlier, on Oct. 29, a man was found critically injured in Washington Park following a ShotSpotter gunshot detection alert.

Upon arrival at the park at about 2:18 a.m., officers discovered an unresponsive man with a gunshot wound. The park is located in the 700 block of East Washington Boulevard.

The victim was transported to a local hospital by the Pasadena Fire Department with life-threatening injuries.

Already the phone calls are starting. Locals are asking us what’s happening in the park and why?
In both incidents police were notified of the shootings by ShotSpotter and responded quickly and if the arrest holds up, that’s even better.
Obviously our local men and women in law enforcement are doing everything to catch the perpetrators.

But even as questions are being asked, let’s not get ahead of ourselves.

Every shooting is not the start of a gang war.

More answers will come in time.

Right now the PPD is investigating as they should.

Neighbors have RING cameras and police are increasing services in the area.

Before the arrest was announced on Monday, Councilmember Jessica Rivas, who represents the area, said a community meeting on this and another recent incident in Washington Park is being planned. Information on the meeting will be shared through Constant Contact and Instagram.

But also, an ounce of prevention is always the best medicine.

The crimes happened at 4 a.m. and just before 2:30 a.m.

Stay out of the park at O’dark thirty.

Let’s hope things remain safe going forward.