City Officials Will Outline What Comes Next, Hear From Public After DA Clears Police Officer in Fatal Shooting

Mayor Victor Gordo said on Thursday that the city has agendized an information item for Monday’s Council meeting to publicly outline the city’s administrative review process and timeline in the officer-involved shooting of Anthony McClain.

McClain was shot and killed in 2020 after he fled from police during a traffic stop in Northwest Pasadena. Police say he was armed, but local residents claim he did not have a weapon.

Earlier this week, the city was notified that the Los Angeles County District’s Attorney’s Office has ruled that no criminal charges will be filed against the officer who shot McClain as he ran away.

“Now, it is important for our community to understand the next step(s) involved in the administrative review process of this matter and the associated timeline,” Gordo said. “It is also vital that we provide our community an opportunity to offer public comment on the matter. As such, I have added an item to Monday’s agenda and asked our City Attorney and City Manager to be prepared to present the information at this Monday’s City Council meeting.”

The meeting is scheduled for 4:30 .m. on Monday. During the meeting, members of the public will have the opportunity provide live public comment by submitting a speaker card prior to the start of public comment on that item at www.cityofpasadena.net/city-clerk/public-comment.

On Thursday community members attended a vigil for McClain at a memorial at the site of the incident.

“How many people have to die before the police are held accountable?” said Ronald Carpenter.

The administrative review will focus on the police officer’s adherence to police policy.

The incident began after police pulled over the vehicle McClain was riding in. The driver cooperated with police, but McClain fled from the passenger side as soon as he exited the car.

Officer Edwin Dumaguindin said he believed McClain was armed and about to fire on him.

In a statement in the District Attorney’s report, Dumaguindin described his memory of the incident.

“…Now he has more of a natural running motion with the weapon in his left hand,” Dumaguindin told investigators. “And then, as it blades across his body, he begins looking over his right shoulder … I’m seeing him like he’s looking for me to shoot me. That’s what I believe he’s doing. So, he has the gun. I can see the gun. Now, he’s looking for his target. And, I’m his target. He’s looking for me to engage at me.”

According to the document released by the District Attorney’s Office, there is “insufficient evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Dumaguindin’s decision to use deadly force was unreasonable,” finding that “the evidence presented strongly supports that McClain possessed a firearm.”

On Wednesday, McClain’s family was told the Dumaguindin would not be charged before the 30-page report was publicly released.

Late last year, the city reached a $7.5 million settlement with McClain’s family.