Tree to Be Planted in Memory of Anthony McClain

A tree will be planted in La Pintoresca Park in honor of a Pasadena man shot and killed by police.

According to a flyer, the “Hurt and Healing” ceremony will take place at 3 p.m. Sunday at the park.

“The city recognizes the grief of Mr. McClain’s family and friends and the grief of the community as a whole,” according to a statement issued on Tuesday. 

“Healing and reconciliation must transcend our conflicts and our differences. For that reason, the city has worked to support the family and this effort so that they can reflect and heal,” reads the statement. 

“There is not a person on Earth who is glad for the way that the incident unfolded or that this death occurred, and it is in that spirit that we recognize the sorrow. We support this ceremony, planned by the family, and the planting of a tree in that spirit.” 

A Pasadena police officer fatally shot McClain on Aug. 15 near the park following a traffic stop. McClain fled after stepping out of the passenger side of the vehicle he was riding in and was shot by the officer. Police later recovered from the scene a pistol with McLain’s DNA on it.

Police said McClain drew a pistol from his waistband as he ran from the officers. But attorneys representing family members in several wrongful death claims have disputed the police account.

The scene of the shooting was adorned with a memorial of candles and flowers and remained in place until it was removed last month. A second memorial was later removed. Police said the second removal led to a high number of reports of shots fired in the vicinity and hundreds of calls to police, which was impacting the quality of life of people living nearby. Critics claim that the memorial was not negatively impacting the community.