$20,000 Reward Offered as Mother, Relatives “Seek Justice” in Killing of Pasadena Man

[Updated Tuesday, April 5, 2016 | 11:15 a.m.]   A $20,000 reward, arranged through Los Angeles County Supervisor Mike Antonovich’s office, has been offered to anyone who offers information that leads to the arrest of the suspect or suspects who gunned down Altadena resident Robert Calderon last Dec. 18.

“I know that my son died that night. I’m not sure why he died,” Sarah Mendoza-Jaime, Calderon’s mother, told NBC4.  “He’s very well loved. I believe, with the reward, people will talk.”

“If it’s money that will entice them (witnesses), so be it,” added Victor Jaime, Calderon’s stepfather. “As long as we can, hopefully, get justice for Robert.”

Calderon, 27, who aspired to be an electrician, was struck several times by gunfire in the 600 block of North Mentor Avenue in Pasadena on Dec. 18. Police received several calls about the 10:45 p.m. shooting before discovering his body near the sidewalk.

NBC4 reported that it is believed Calderon got in a car to make a liquor store run, but in a dark residential street, there was gunfire.

Pasadena Now reported that witness said it was a drive-by shooting and that he heard gunshots and a car speed away. At the time of the shooting, Calderon’s death was the fourth Pasadena homicide in 2015, following a year were there was just three.

Calderon had received his degree from Pasadena City College.

The night after Calderon’s murder, on December 19, gunfire reupted in a group of about 30 mourners at an impromptu vigil for Calderon on Claremont Street at about 11:15 p.m.

Police said a woman, described as a 20-year-old black female, was shot twice. She suffered wounds to a forearm and to her stomach, said Pasadena Police Lt. John Mercado.

Calderon’s funeral services were held Dec. 29 at St. Andrews Church, 311 N Raymond Ave.

Pasadena police asked anyone with any information regarding Calderon’s killing and the second shooting that followed the next night to call them at (626) 744-4620.

In a statement, the Pasadena Police Department said it “appreciates and supports the collaborative efforts of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors in apprehending those responsible for this crime.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Pasadena Police Detective Timothy Bundy at (626) 744-3953, the Pasadena Police Dispatch non-emergency number at (626) 744-4241 after-hours, or you may report information anonymously at crimestoppers.com (insert key word Pasadena).