Peace March Organizer Says Event Was a Stand Against All Violence — Not Just Gang Violence

A peace march concluded Monday evening near the spot where a 38-year-old man was shot to death in broad daylight late last week.

Monte Russell of Los Angeles died of gunshot wounds he suffered in a parking lot in the 1700 block of East Washington Boulevard around 5:30 p.m. Friday.

Organizer Brandon Lamar said Monday’s community peace march started  at the Rite-Aid on Washington Boulevard at Hill Avenue and proceed east, culminating with a prayer vigil in the alley on Washington Boulevard and Sinaloa Avenue.

“I was moved to do a peace march because basically, I don’t want us to be getting used to violence,” Lamar said. “I want to do this walk against violence as a whole, not just gang violence, not just abuse. I wanted to do a walk for us young adults to speak up about violence, every type of violence.”

On Friday, Russell was on his way to get a haircut when he was shot. Police officers responding to several calls found him lifeless a few minutes later.

Police have not identified a suspect or pointed to a possible motive in the killing.

Russell’s mother Yvonne Trice said Sunday her son had been involved in gangs in the past but his life has turned around and he had become a hard-working father to three young daughters.

Russell was working for a tile supplier in Altadena when he was killed.

Lamar said Monday’s Community Peace March was open to whole families including children, saying activism should start at an early age especially when children and youth and young adults are exposed to these things and “given a brighter view of where we’re going.”

“If the children could come, the teenagers could come, the older adults can come, I think we can just make this a family affair to show the city of Pasadena that we are united and we don’t believe in violence,” Lamar said.

 

Pasadena Police officers are continuing to investigate Friday’s homicide and are seeking information from possible witnesses. Anyone with information can call Pasadena police at (626) 744-4501. Tips may also be submitted anonymously to L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.