Investigators at the Pasadena Police Department have taken another step in solving the tragic 2021 murder of 13-year-old Iran Moreno, who was killed by a stray bullet while playing video games inside his bedroom. In a press release, authorities unveiled sketches of two suspects believed to be responsible for the shooting that occurred on Nov. 20, 2021, on the 900 block of North Raymond Avenue. According to KCAL News, the suspects were seen exiting a 2017-2020 gray Ford Fusion moments before the two rounds were fired. The partial license plate number of the vehicle, QJ117, has been identified through enhanced surveillance footage.
One of the bullets went through Moreno's bedroom wall and fatally wounded him. Moreno managed to reach the living room, where, as family members told KTLA, his father held him in his arms while they awaited an ambulance. He was pronounced dead after being transported to a local hospital. The police continued their investigation, and following the release of information about the getaway vehicle and the shooter's attire, new tips have aided in identifying the car used in the crime and in creating composite sketches of the suspects.
The primary suspect, alleged to be the gunman, is described as a Black male, aged approximately 33 to 37, standing 6 feet to 6 feet 1 inch tall, and weighing between 185 and 195 pounds. He was seen wearing a red and black The North Face hoodie at the time of the incident. The driver, according to the sketches, is described as a Black female, between the ages of 27 and 31, around 5 feet 3 inches to 5 feet 5 inches tall, and weighing approximately 165 to 185 pounds. "You're at your house thinking you are safe as well and you can't be safe anywhere. This community, this city, is just too dangerous," family friend Maria Munguia expressed in a 2021 interview, highlighting the sense of insecurity felt by the community.
Furthermore, investigators believe these individuals are connected to Pasadena, San Jose, and Alameda County. As stated in a Facebook post by the Pasadena Police Department, the suspects appear to be linked to the regions previously mentioned, and the public's assistance is critical for the investigation. Anyone with information on the case has been urged to contact the Pasadena Police, with the option to report tips anonymously through "Crime Stoppers" and their various platforms.
Authorities are reaching out for support and leads, hoping for a breakthrough in the unsolved murder case that has left an indelible scar on the heart of a city. Information can be relayed to Pasadena detectives at (626) 744-4583, or anonymously via "Crime Stoppers" by dialing (800) 222-TIPS (8477).
