3 days ago
Teen fatally shot playing video games in 2021, CA cops say. Now, a new lead
In November 2021, five days before Thanksgiving, 13-year-old Iran Moreno sat in his California bedroom playing video games
Then, across the street from his Pasadena home, a passenger exited a sedan and fired two shots, the Pasadena Police Department said in a June 25 news release shared on X, formerly known as Twitter.
One bullet hit Iran, fatally injuring him, police said.
His death rocked the community.
'As a father, I cannot fathom the unbearable anguish that Iran's parents are going through at this moment and the pain that they will live with for the rest of their lives,' Pasadena Mayor Victor M. Gordo said in a statement days after Iran's death. 'We as a community must all come together to embrace his family, friends and neighbors.'
Gordo also asked that the community come forward with any information, 'no matter how small.'
'Our community must not stand for violence and, while seeking justice for their son can never take away the hole in their hearts, we pray it will bring some sense of relief for the Moreno family,' Gordo said.
Nearly four years later, Iran's family is still searching for that sense of relief, but now new details offer hope.
Police have released sketches of two people possibly connected to Iran's slaying in an effort to close the case.
Few answers despite investigation
In the months following Iran's death on Nov. 20, 2021, investigators pushed for answers.
Police announced an $85,000 reward for information in the teen's slaying in March 2022.
'Pasadena Police Department Homicide Detectives have exhausted all leads into this senseless act of violence and are hoping this reward money will motivate anyone with crucial information about this murder to come forward,' police said.
A year after Iran's death, police provided an update on his case, which included a photo of a potential suspect and car, described as a 2017 to 2020 Ford Fusion.
'Sadly, our investigative leads have not led us to those responsible for this cowardice murder,' police said, adding that they again were looking to the public for information to 'help to bring those responsible to justice on behalf of young Iran Moreno.'
'There's just something absent'
Iran's mother, Lourdes Moreno, told Pasadena Weekly last June that his death left a 'vacancy' in their family.
'Although we are all together, there's just something absent,' she told the newspaper. 'Although we are all united, it doesn't feel right.'
She described him as being a 'positive kid,' who was 'always happy, never upset, and had a positive outlook on life,' according to the newspaper.
'He was a loving kid who loved life,' she told the outlet. 'He did not deserve this.'
New details offer hope
Police said they again released new details in Iran's case to the public June 16.
The information included 'specific details about the shooter's clothing (a red and black The North Face hoodie) and the recently obtained, partial license plate of the Ford Fusion,' police said.
'This information proved to be crucial,' police said.
Using details from the tips they received, police said investigators identified a 'specific vehicle' from the narrowing in on the car, investigators traced 'its movements before and after' the shooting, according to police.
Detectives were also able to create sketches of two people seen with the Ford Fusion at the time, police said.
The suspected shooter is described as being between the ages of 33 and 37, standing about 6 feet tall and weighing between 185 to 195 pounds, police said, adding that he was seen 'wearing a red and black The North Face hoodie.'
The second suspect, a getaway driver, is described as being a woman between the ages of 27 to 31, who stands between 5 feet 3 inches to 5 feet, 5 inches tall and weighs between 165 and 185 pounds, according to police.
Detectives think the car and suspects are linked to Pasadena, San Jose and Alameda County, police said.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 626-744-4241.
