On November 18, 2023, at approximately 4:10 a.m., Pasadena police responded to a ShotSpotter alert indicating gunfire at Washington Park, located in the 700 block of East Washington Boulevard. Upon arrival, officers discovered 64-year-old Mickey Cooper, a Pasadena resident, unresponsive with multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Mickey Cooper was the younger brother of former Los Angeles Lakers star Michael Cooper.
The brothers had a deep connection to Washington Park, having played basketball there during their childhood. Michael Cooper expressed that his brother felt comfortable and safe in the park, making the tragedy even more poignant.
In the hours following the homicide, detectives from the Pasadena Police Department's Robbery/Homicide Unit identified a person of interest. Concerned about the potential threat to public safety, they coordinated an arrest operation involving the U.S. Marshal’s Pacific Southwest Regional Fugitive Taskforce, Pasadena Police Department SWAT, and K-9 units. On November 18, 2023, 24-year-old Pasadena resident Aaron Miguel Conell was arrested without incident. Initially booked for an unrelated assault with a firearm charge, further investigation over the weekend led to additional evidence linking Conell to Mickey Cooper's murder. Consequently, on November 20, his charges were amended to include murder.
Subsequent investigations revealed that Conell was also allegedly involved in two other violent incidents in Pasadena. He was charged with attempted murder for an attack on October 29, 2023, where a man was shot in the neck at Washington Park. Additionally, he faced charges of assault with a semiautomatic firearm for an incident on November 5, 2023, where he allegedly approached a vehicle at a gas station and pointed a gun at the driver. These charges include allegations of using a 9 mm semiautomatic handgun and inflicting great bodily injury.
As of November 22, 2023, Conell was being held on a $4.25 million bail. If convicted on all counts, he faces a potential sentence of over 50 years to life in state prison. The motive behind these attacks remains under investigation, and authorities have not indicated any known connection between Conell and Mickey Cooper. Michael Cooper acknowledged his brother's struggles with drug addiction but emphasized that it did not justify the taking of his life.
The Pasadena Police Department continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding these incidents and has urged anyone with information to come forward. In the wake of these events, the community has been reminded of the importance of public safety and the ongoing efforts to combat gun violence in the area.
