Robert Arthur Calderon, a 27-year-old man from Altadena, California, was tragically shot and killed on December 18, 2015, in Pasadena. The incident occurred around 10:45 p.m. in the 600 block of North Mentor Avenue, a residential neighborhood. Multiple calls were made to the Pasadena Police Department reporting gunshots in the area. Upon arrival, officers found Calderon lying on the grassy strip between the street and the sidewalk, with a trail of blood leading from the middle of the street to
where he collapsed. Calderon was pronounced dead at the scene at 11:02 p.m., having sustained multiple gunshot wounds to his torso. Investigators recovered seven 9-millimeter shell casings at the scene, but no witnesses came forward to provide details about the shooting. It remains unclear whether Calderon was shot while crossing the street or if he had exited a vehicle just before the incident.
Calderon’s death has been a challenging case for investigators. Despite extensive efforts, no suspects have been identified or arrested in connection with the murder. The investigation revealed that Calderon had associations with some gang members in the Pasadena area, but there was no conclusive evidence to label the shooting as gang-related. The motive behind the shooting remains unknown, and the quiet, dark-lit street where the incident occurred has left investigators puzzled about why Calderon was there that night. The lack of witnesses and concrete leads has significantly hindered the progress of the investigation.
The day after Calderon’s death, a memorial service was held in his honor at the Kings Villages apartments, a location he frequented to visit friends. During the service, another shooting occurred, with shots fired into the crowd attending the memorial. This resulted in a woman in her 20s being struck by bullets in the stomach. She was taken to the hospital and was expected to survive. Investigators found two different types of bullet casings at the scene, indicating that gunfire was exchanged. However, much like the initial incident, the attendees scattered when the shooting began, leaving investigators with few witnesses and little information to work with. The woman who was injured has not been cooperative with the police, further complicating the investigation.
Despite the challenges, the Pasadena Police Department continues to seek information that could lead to a breakthrough in the case. The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors reinstated a $20,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible for Calderon’s murder. Calderon’s family, particularly his mother, remains hopeful that someone with knowledge of the incident will come forward. The case remains open, with detectives keeping certain details confidential to avoid compromising the investigation. The silence surrounding the case has been a source of frustration for both the investigators and Calderon’s family, who are seeking justice and closure for the loss of their loved one.
