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Mountain Views News Saturday, June 21, 2025

Local Area 
News Briefs

Public Asking for Answers After ICE Raid

Back in Business Walkabout 
June 22 June 29 in Altadena


Pasadena 2021 
Shooting Police 
Update

 
Pasadena police are asking 
for the public’s help solve the 
murder of a 13-year-old boy 
after new evidence of a partial 
license plate, description of 
the shooter and clothing. 

 According to police , on 
November 20, 2021, a gray 
Ford Fusion stopped in 
a parking lot across from 
13-year-old Iran Moreno’s 
residence located on the 900 
block of North Raymond 
Avenue.

The front passenger exited 
the vehicle and fired two 
gunshots eastward. One of the 
bullets struck Iran Moreno 
as he played video games in 
his bedroom, causing a fatal 
injury.

 Newly enhanced surveillance 
video revealed a partial license 
plate number QJ117 from the 
Ford Fusion.

 The video enhancement also 
provided a clearer description 
of the shooter and identified 
the distinct hooded sweatshirt 
worn by the shooter as a red 
and black North Face brand.

 The shooter can be described 
as a Black male, approximately 
33 to 37 years old, 6’0” to 6’1” 
tall, and 185 to 195 Ibs. 

 Investigators are asking 
anyone with information 
to contact police at 626-
744-4241 24/7 or Homicide 
Investigators at 626-744-
4583. To report information 
anonymously call “Crime 
Stoppers” at (800) 222-TIPS 
(8477).

 The Altadena Chamber 
of Commerce announced 
that Back in Business, its 
volunteer-powered initiative, 
has launched a second phase 
of its successful outreach effort 
with a Walkabout from June 
22 to June 29 along Pasadena’s 
northern commercial corridors. 
The week-long event is central 
to the program aimed at helping 
Altadena businesses recover 
after the Eaton Fire through 
needs assessment and space 
reconnaissance for relocation.

 A Grassroots Effort Built on 
Collaboration

 Formed in January 2025, 
Back is Business was designed 
to streamline and coordinate 
relocation efforts, rebuild the 
local business community, and 
foster long-term economic 
sustainability—all driven by an 
army of dedicated volunteers 
that now number close to one 
hundred.

 Led by Pasadena Planning 
Commissioner Julianna 
Delgado, a grassroots Task 
Force launched Back in Business 
with the Altadena Chamber 
of Commerce as a direct 
response to the mass disruption 
caused by the Eaton Fire. The 
initiative relies on a select, 
collaborative working group of 
professionals—including local 
attorneys, planners, architects, 
and real estate experts 
with close ties to Altadena. 
“Businesses are an essential 
part of a community,” says 
Delgado, an urban planner with 
disaster recovery experience. 
“Their return—through 
compassion, commitment, and 
cooperation--- is at the very 
core of successful rebuilding.”

 At the heart of Back in Business 
is its volunteer outreach 
program, where trained local 
volunteers have reached out 
to connect directly with all 
impacted businesses—both 
for-profit and non-profit-- and 
provide personalized support. 
Volunteers:

Offer free one-on-one assistance 
to assess the needs of business 
owners who have lost their 
facilities or customers, or both, 
and, in some cases, also their 
homes.

Listen and respond to needs of 
business owners coping with 
disaster-related trauma.

Build lasting relationships 
among neighbors aimed at 
reconnecting businesses with 
their client base.

Identify potential workspaces 
and match displaced businesses 
with relocation opportunities.

Provide businesses with 
guidance on permits, tenant 
improvements, and funding 
resources.

 Join the Effort to Rebuild 
Altadena

Back in Business thrives on 
community support. Residents 
are encouraged to volunteer, 
offer relocation assistance, 
participate in the space 
reconnaissance effort, and share 
resources to help Altadena 
businesses return stronger than 
ever.

For more, or get involved, or 
to offer available space contact: 
altadenachamber.org, 

 

 A number of local leaders 
made statements, including 
Pasadena city officials, after a 
video captured footage of U.S. 
Immigration and Customs 
Enforcement officers arresting 
six people Wednesday morning 
at the intersection of Los Robles 
and Orange Grove Avenue. 
Hundreds of protesters took to 
the same intersection later that 
night opposing the action of 
ICE.

 “We want to be clear: Neither 
the City of Pasadena nor the 
Pasadena Police Department is 
involved in the enforcement of 
federal civil immigration laws,” 
Pasadena city officials said in a 
statement. “We do not inquire 
about a person’s immigration 
status when responding to 
service calls or providing city 
services.”

 Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo 
along with Congresswoman 
Judy Chu and State Senator 
Sasha Renée Pérez tried 
later Wednesday to visit the 
Metropolitan Detention Center 
in downtown Los Angeles, where 
the people were reportedly being 
held. Federal officials denied 
their entry according to Chu.

 “These raids aren’t 
targeting criminals, they’re 
indiscriminately targeting 
workplaces, community 
institutions, and family homes,” 
Chu said. “They’re rounding 
up people who contribute to 
our communities and keep our 
economy running. I’ve heard 
from countless constituents who 
are sick with worry. I will not 
stop fighting for our immigrant 
communities and their right to 
due process.”

 Chu said that she has the legal 
right, as a Member of Congress, 
to conduct oversight at the 
Detention Center. 

 Pérez said that the immigrant 
community deserves due process 
and access to legal counsel.

 “The Trump administration’s 
immigration enforcement 
actions this morning in Pasadena 
paint another troubling picture 
of unidentifiable federal agents 
terrorizing and snatching 
vulnerable people off the street,” 
Pérez said. “All indications show 
these raids targeted decent, hard-
working community members at 
a bus stop who are simply trying 
to make a living and support 
their families... “I have reached 
out to federal agencies to get 
answers. I want to know the 
status of the people detained this 
morning.”

 According to news reports, 
Gordo said he saw “a stark 
and deeply troubling contrast” 
between the armored National 
Guard response in January and 
now. Gordo said that they were 
first in Pasadena and Altadena 
to help mobilize a rapid response 
to the Eton Fire, working 
alongside firefighters, police 
officers community leaders and 
day laborers. He said that today, 
while the region is still healing 
from the fire, “President Donald 
Trump decided to turn the 
National Guard and other federal 
officers against the people.” 

 In related news a federal law 
enforcement officer jumped out 
of his unmarked vehicle with his 
gun drawn Wednesday morning 
on Orange Grove Avenue after 
a man ducked behind his car to 
take a photo of his license plate. 

 In a video, from inside a vehicle, 
the driver follows the unmarked 
vehicle until it stops at a red light 
and then the man runs over 
behind the unmarked car. The 
officer uses his gun to chase the 
person away. 

 “We are actively investigating 
social media posts, photos, 
and videos to gain a better 
understanding of the situation,” 
Pasadena city officials said. 

Fourth of July 
Celebration 
at Pasadena 
Senior Center

 Amber waves of grain and 
purple mountain majesties 
will be on everyone’s minds 
Friday, July 4, from 1 to 3 
p.m. when the Pasadena 
Senior Center presents 
the annual Fourth of July 
luncheon.

 The Scott Pavilion will 
be adorned with red, 
white and blue décor 
as everyone celebrates 
America’s independence 
with a sumptuous lunch 
prepared by Neighborhood 
Survants, a local nonprofit 
organization that offers 
youths and community 
leaders empowerment 
workshops and other 
services.

 Live music will be provided 
by JJ Jukebox, a local band 
performing music from the 
60’s and 70’s.

The cost is $15 for 
members and $20 for 
nonmembers of all ages. 
To register or for more 
information, visit www.
pasadenaseniorcenter.org 
and click on Activities & 
Events, then Special Events 
or call 626-795-4331. 
Be sure to register early 
because tickets will not be 
available at the door.

 The Pasadena Senior 
Center is located 85 E. 
Holly St. 

 As a donor-supported 
nonprofit, the center 
operates without any local, 
state or federal funding 
and provides more services 
to older adults in the San 
Gabriel Valley than any 
other organization. To 
learn more, visit www.
pasadenaseniorcenter.org 
or call 626-795-4331. 

Broker Pleads 
Guilty to 
Obstructing IRS

Pasadena Water & Power 
New Educational Storybook

 A Pasadena man and 
commercial real estate broker 
has pleaded guilty to a years-
long pattern of obstructing 
the IRS from collecting 
taxes he owed, leading that 
agency to collect $770 in tax 
liabilities when he earned 
approximately $1 million from 
his employment during that 
time, the Justice Department 
announced earlier this month.

 Gabriel David Guerrero, 
of Pasadena, pleaded guilty 
June 10 to one count of 
corruptly obstructing or 
impeding, or endeavoring to 
obstruct or impede, the due 
administration of the Internal 
Revenue Code. Guerrero is 
free on $50,000 bond.

 According to his plea 
agreement, Guerrero did 
not file timely federal 
individual income tax returns, 
specifically for the years 1998, 
1999, and 2001 through 2005. 
He later owed tax liabilities for 
the years 2012 and 2013.

 After the IRS assessed taxes 
against Guerrero he took 
steps to conceal his income 
and assets from the IRS. For 
example, he made extensive 
use of cash and cashier’s 
checks; submitted a false form 
to the IRS that significantly 
understated his income; and 
used a nominee bank account 
to deposit income.

 United States District Judge 
Percy Anderson set a Sept. 15 
sentencing hearing. Guerrero 
will face a statutory maximum 
sentence of three years in 
federal prison.

 General Manager of Water 
& Power, David Reyes, and 
the department announced 
Thursday the release of a new 
children’s storybook titled 
“Kate’s Career Date,” the 
latest addition to the award-
winning Outtawatta Family 
educational series that focuses 
on an intergalactic space 
family who recently moved 
to Pasadena. Follow Kate as 
she tours Pasadena Water & 
Power (“PWP”) and meets 
various employees including 
a line worker, water treatment 
operator, engineer, electrical 
tester, water chemist, and 
customer service representative. 
The story is also accompanied 
by a short, animated video.

 The materials are part of an 
ongoing campaign to raise 
awareness and highlight the 
diverse career opportunities 
available in water quality, 
power delivery, and customer 
service. The Outtawatta 
Family suite features a wide 
range of materials including 
books and videos aimed at 
teaching children and families 
about water conservation, 
energy efficiency, and utility 
operations. Existing material 
covers topics such as conserving 
water, where Pasadena’s water 
comes from, energy efficiency, 
renewable energy, and safety 
around electricity.

 More information and free 
downloadable resources are 
available at PWPweb.com/
OuttawattaFamily.

An Afternoon of Japanese 
Culture at Pasadena Library

 Experience Japanese culture 
and learn about traditional Noh 
theatre and its accoutrements on 
Wednesday, June 25 from 3 to 5 
p.m. at Lamanda Park Branch 
Library. Dr. Join us for a Mask 
Carving Demonstration for all 
ages from 3 to 3:45 p.m. followed 
by a Dyeing Workshop for ages 7 
– 16 from 4 to 5 p.m. Registration 
is required. To sign up call (626) 
744-7266.

 Noh theater is a traditional 
Japanese performing art that 
is characterized by stylized 
movements and a distinct form 
of singing. While the performers 
wear carefully-carved masks to 
depict certain character types, 
they emote by adjusting the 
angle from which the audience 
can see their mask. The clothing, 
too, impacts how the audience 
perceives specific characters as 
the patterning in Noh costumes 
convey identity and meaning.

 This program is presented 
in partnership with the Japan 
Foundation, Los Angeles (JFLA), 
and features two accomplished 
artisans who will demonstrate 
their crafts to attendees.

 Artist Hideta Kitazawa, a 
second-generation woodcarving 
artist from Tokyo will present a 
Mask Carving Demonstration 
for all ages introducing the 
audience to the world of Noh 
masks, including the types of 
mask and the characters they 
are intended to portray. Then, 
through a live demonstration, 
he will show the techniques used 
by traditional woodworking 
artisans to strip away raw 
material and reveal the mask 
that is at the heart of the wood. 
He will also present some of his 
more recent creations inspired 
by contemporary characters.

 Artist Miyoko Yoshiya will first 
explore the traditional patterns 
used in Noh costumes. Then, she 
will talk about her own journey 
as an artist and her unique 
approach to textiles that draws 
on a sensitivity from being born 
and raised in Japan. The ultra-
thin cloth felts that Miyoko 
produces, made from domestic 
Kawamata silk, can be compared 
to Japanese paper in that they 
have a gentle and warm texture. 
Yoshiya will present a Dyeing 
Workshop for ages 7 to 16 from 
4 to 5 p.m.

 Lamanda Park Branch Library 
is located 140 S. Altadena. 

 For more information call, (626) 
744-7266.


Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com