The spectre of the murder of Brandon Jackson hung over a busy Altadena Town Council meeting Tuesday night, cropping up in several places.
Altadena Sheriff Capt. Steven McLean said that the killing of Jackson on Saturday night was the first homicide in two years in Altadena. The latest information, McLean said, is that deputies believed he was walking home from a party at around 10 PM and at some point a red vehicle drove up to him. McLean said that Jackson apparently talked to someone in the vehicle, and that someone in the vehicle shot and killed him.
McLean said that there were two shootings in Pasadena the next day that may or may not be related. He was working with Pasadena Police Chief Phillip Sanchez to see if the shootings are linked, and to tackle the problem of gang violence.
McLean said, “What I want the community to know is that we are dedicated to tracking and finding Brandon’s killer.” McLean said that “my detectives have been working night and day since the very second we heard about it.”
Later in the evening, Penny Daniels, manager at Loma Alta Park, said that Jackson was a member of the Teen Club, and was there playing baseball Friday night.
Members of the councll mentioned that there seem to be more young men hanging out at night at Loma Alta and Farnsworth Parks, and McLean said that the sheriffs were aware and ‘we have plans in place.”
Det. Lt. Joe Dempsey, the sheriff station’s public information officer, said that the station was partnering with the city of Pasadena and reallocating resources to the parks and streets, and also working with the county parks bureau, which patrols the parks. “We’re not going to let any parks be taken over by gangs.”
The sheriffs said that if anyone can help with the investigation to call the Altadena station (798-1131) or call 800-222-TIPS (8477), or go online: www.lacrimestoppers.org
