14-Year-Old Girl Among 2 Teens Critically Wounded In Pasadena Drive-By Shooting
PASADENA (CBSLA) – A 14-year-old girl and an 18-year-old boy are fighting for their lives after being critically wounded in a drive-by shooting in Pasadena Sunday night.
The two were walking on a sidewalk at about 8:40 p.m. in the 300 block of East Villa Street when a late model sedan pulled up and at least one person inside opened fire on them.
"I was just home watching TV, and I heard real quick five bangs, and then I could hear the girl screaming," Nathan Rowe, a neighbor said. "I actually came out here and just took a look. I called 911."
The man was struck several times in his upper body and the girl was shot once in the neck, according to Pasadena police. The teens, who have not been identified, were rushed to a nearby hospital where they remained in critical condition.
"It was like the worst thing that you can imagine," Rowe said.
Based on a preliminary investigation, police said there were at least two men in the vehicle.
"The car pulled up alongside the two victims who are on the sidewalk," Lt. Bill Grisafe said. "They asked them something in English, the victims didn't understand what they were asking. The passenger got out and began firing rounds at both of them."
Police said the victims have no gang affiliation, but were looking into the possibility that the suspects may have gang ties based on the circumstances surrounding the shooting, though they did not have a good description of the suspects.
"The passenger did have something covering his face to make it difficult to recognize or identify him," Grisafe said.
Pasadena police said the shooting was just one of several violent incidents that happened in the city over the weekend. Police said they also responded to a deadly stabbing and a car-to-car shooting where nearly 20 bullets were fired.
The department said there would be a noticeable increase in uniformed officers patrolling impacted areas in an effort to combat further violence.
"People who are restricted from carrying firearms, we will hopefully come in contact with them and are able to get more firearms off the streets," Grisafe said. "Maybe we can decrease the level of gang activity."
He said officers would also be out trying to find out who was responsible for the weekend's crimes, and those who live on Villa Street said they hope police were able to get those responsible off the streets.
"I just hope it stops," Rowe said. "I think it's sad."
