Suspect in fatal shooting of 13-year-old in California may be in Massachusetts, police say
Police in Pasadena, California believe a suspect wanted in the fatal shooting of a 13-year-old boy in 2021 may be in Massachusetts.
According to police, 13-year-old Iran Moreno was playing video games in his bedroom on Nov. 20, 2021, when a stray bullet from a shooting outside pierced through the wall and killed him. Police said it's believed the bullet was stray and that no one in the house was the intended target.
Surveillance video enhanced
The gunman was seen on surveillance video getting out of a gray 2017-2020 Ford Fusion and firing his gun twice. Pasadena Police Commander William Grisafe said they were recently able to enhance surveillance video from the time of the shooting and were able to see what the gunman looks like. They were also able to see the car's partial license plate number: QJ117.
Tipster from Swampscott area recognizes suspect
Police also released sketches of the gunman and his possible getaway driver. After the sketches were released, police said they received a tip Thursday morning from a woman who said she had seen the man on several occasions in March and April in the Swampscott and Boston area.
"We received information from a tipster in the Boston and more specifically the Swampscott area that recognized that individual from the sketch that we provided," said Grisafe. "This individual seemed very credible and was able to provide us some information that she believed that he was in that area."
Grisafe said the tipster saw the sketch in a social media post that the police department shared. He said the Pasadena Police Department is now asking for help from police in the Boston area.
The gunman is described as a Black male with a medium complexion between the ages of 33 and 37. Police said he is either 6 feet or 6 feet 1 inch tall, weighing between 185 and 195 pounds.
At the time of the shooting, he was wearing a red and black North Face hoodie.
Family hopes for closure
Grisafe said the family of Iran Moreno is holding onto hope that they get justice for their son.
"Obviously, they want closure, as you can expect," said Grisafe. "They lost their 13-year-old son, it was a very tragic incident for them and their family."
Anyone with information about the gunman is asked to call the Pasadena Police Department at 626-744-4241. Tips can also be submitted anonymously by contacting Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.
Located in Los Angeles County, Pasadena is about 10 miles from Los Angeles. Pasadena has a population of about 133,000 people.
