Public Safety Committee to Hear Information on Officer-Involved Shooting That Led to Officer’s Firing

The Public Safety Committee on Wednesday will receive an informational report on a 2025 officer-involved shooting between two Pasadena police officers that left one officer wounded and resulted in the firing of Officer Roy Alatorre.

Meanwhile, Police Chief Eugene Harris said new evidence has emerged in the case sparking a fresh investigation into the matter.

Harris was scheduled for an interview with Pasadena Now, but that interview was postponed in light of the new evidence.

According to Harris, following the release of the officer-involved shooting (OIS) video last week, a witness came forward with additional information, and a new investigation has been opened based on documentation received Sunday, June 14.

The officers alleged to be involved, who are not the shooter or the injured officer, have now been placed on administrative leave — not simply because it’s policy, but because it reflects how seriously we take matters like this. When questions arise about conduct, we act.

“Thorough investigations take time, and I won’t rush one at the expense of the truth,” Harris said. “What I can promise is that I will be as transparent as California law allows and share information with this community as quickly as I’m able.”

The committee discussion comes one week after the Pasadena Police Department publicly released video of the Sept. 7 incident, which occurred inside the department’s parking structure as officers prepared to begin their shifts.

According to published reports, Alatorre, identified by Police Chief Eugene Harris as the officer who fired the shot, was terminated following the department’s administrative investigation.

The wounded officer, who was struck in the shoulder, recovered from his injuries and remains employed by the department. That officer has not been identified.

Video released by the department shows one officer drawing a handgun and pointing it at another officer seated inside a patrol vehicle before reholstering the weapon.

Police said the officer inside the vehicle then drew his own firearm and pointed it toward the standing officer. The gun discharged, sending a round through the windshield and into the other officer’s shoulder.

Chief Harris described the incident as “unsafe and out-of-policy horseplay involving loaded firearms.”

“Horseplay and/or failure to adhere to safety rules and standards of professional conduct will not be tolerated,” Harris said in the department’s critical incident video. “This regretful conduct is not consistent with the expectations and service commitments of this department.”

Horseplay is a legal definition in workers compensation claims identified as “goofing off” or the act of having rough fun, it is a dangerous activity, and can result in injuries.

It is not known if the injured officer has fired a workers compensation claim.

The incident has sparked criticism from city leaders and renewed questions about accountability within the department.

Councilmember Tyron Hampton said the shooting raises concerns about officer conduct and department culture.

“While our police department, as a whole, is dedicated to serving our community, there are officers who appear not to realize that wearing that badge is a privilege,” Hampton said in a statement. “The shooting incident involving an officer in September 2025 reflects the poor choices made by specific individuals.”

Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo also condemned the conduct captured on video.

“It’s juvenile, unacceptable behavior at the highest level on the part of these officers,” Gordo told KABC.

Harris said the video was not released earlier because one of the officers involved sustained serious injuries and investigators needed additional time to complete critical portions of the investigation.