Triple Homicide Suspect Held to Answer During Preliminary Hearing

On July 12, 2013, at about 4:20 p.m., Pasadena Police Officers responded to the 1700 block of Summit Avenue regarding a shooting in progress. The first Pasadena Police Officer on-scene observed a shooting victim lying on the sidewalk. He attempted to assist the victim; however, the suspect, John Izeal Smith, opened fired on the officer who had to tactically retreat behind his police vehicle. Additional officers arrived and surrounded the residence where suspect-Smith had retreated. During the active shooter incident, Smith fired more than 40 rounds from a semiautomatic assault-style rifle ultimately killing three people and injuring two others. Smith was subsequently convinced to surrender by a police dispatcher and arrested without force.

In the aftermath, Pasadena Police Detectives, assisted by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office Crimes Against Police Officers Unit, responded to the scene to investigate. Homicide detectives, uniformed patrol officers, forensic specialists, dispatchers and civilian witnesses worked side by side for numerous hours conducting a comprehensive investigation. The Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office filed several felony charges against Smith, including murder and attempted murder.

On November 2, 2105, Smith was held to answer during his preliminary hearing. The charges were amended to include the following:
• Three counts of murder,
• Three counts of attempted murder,
• Three counts of personally and intentionally discharging a firearm (rifle) causing great bodily injury and/or death, • Five counts of shooting into an inhabited dwelling, and
• Possession of an assault weapon

Smith is currently being held without bail at the Los Angeles County Jail.