Police Arrest Suspect in Pasadena Shooting Death of Brother of Lakers Legend

[Updated]  Pasadena Police announced they have made an arrest in connection with the weekend shooting death of 64-year-old Mickey Cooper, a Pasadena resident who was the brother of former L.A. Lakers Michael Cooper.

Mickey Cooper was found with multiple gunshot wounds in Washington Park around 4:10 a.m. Saturday.

Police made the discovery when they responded to the park in the 700 block of East Washington Blvd. after receiving a ShotSpotter automated gunfire detection alert. Cooper was pronounced dead at the scene.

Michael Cooper, a member of the world champion Lakers during the 1980s’ Showtime era, told ABC7 that he and his brother played basketball at that park when they were children.

Pasadena Robbery Homicide Unit detectives quickly identified a person of interest only a few hours after the homicide, police said Monday.

“Believing this person posed an immediate threat to the public, detectives coordinated an arrest operation with members of the U.S. Marshal’s Pacific Southwest Regional Fugitive Taskforce, PPD SWAT, and PPD K-9 Unit,” according to Pasadena Lt. Monica Cuellar.

24-year-old Aaron Miguel Conell was arrested without incident, Cuellar said.

Conell, a Pasadena resident, was booked at the Pasadena Jail for a different and unrelated crime. Over the weekend, detectives obtained further evidence pertaining to the murder of Cooper. Cuellar reported that on Monday, November 20, Conell’s booking charge was amended to include murder.

Sheriff’s Dept. online booking records indicate Conell is being held on a $1.1 million bond.

During the investigation, the Pasadena Police Dept. provided extra service and security to the park.

Police asked anyone with information to call the department at 626-744- 4241. Tipsters can also call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477.