Man Brandishing Gun in Pasadena Arrested Without Incident

A man who was seen brandishing a gun at La Pintoresca Park in Pasadena on Saturday was taken into custody without a struggle after complying with orders of responding police officers to drop the weapon and surrender, officials said.

The tense encounter unfolded about 10 a.m., according to Pasadena police Lt. Anthony Russo.

Witnesses first called police to report a man was seen walking around with a gun in-hand near, near Fair Oaks Avenue and Hammond Street, carrying a pistol in his hand, he said. The man was making his way north.

Officers arrived to find him at Fair Oaks Avenue and Washington Boulevard, at northwest Corner of La Pintoresca Park, still clutching the gun and pointing it “indiscriminately” at cars and buildings, according to Russo.

”The officers gave him commands to drop the firearm,” the lieutenant said. “He complied.”

Police then took the man into custody without a struggle and arrested him on suspicion of illegal possession of a gun in public, he said. He was identified by police and Los Angeles County booking records as Laventin Eugene Nolan, 23, described as a local transient.

“That’s what we’re looking for,” Russo said, adding that the suspect’s compliance helped prevent the situation from escalating into violence.

Pasadena Police Chief John Perez said he was also pleased that his officers, as well as the suspect, himself, de-escalated the situation.

“Cooperation with individuals involved in these types of incidents is imperative for the ability to de-escalate the situations so that we can achieve peaceful.outcomes,” Perez said.

Nolan told officers that he had found the loaded .45-caliber pistol, Russo said.

Bail for Nolan was set at $25,000 pending his initial appearance in Los Angeles County Superior Court.