LOS ANGELES, CA – A teenage girl was found fatally shot at a residence in Arcadia on Thursday, and the 20-year-old man identified as the suspect shot himself in Pasadena about an hour later, according to the Arcadia Police Department and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
Arcadia police responded at about 11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 22, to the 800 block of West Huntington Drive after a caller reported a possible shooting. The caller said a man was inside the residence and had fired a gun.
The girl was pronounced dead at the scene. The Sheriff’s Department identified the suspect as Paul Anthony Cruz Jr., 20, who it said was in a dating relationship with her.
Cruz was hospitalized in critical condition after the Pasadena shooting, which happened near Arroyo Parkway and Glenarm Street.
Officers find girl with gunshot wound
Arcadia police said in a statement Thursday afternoon that officers arrived to find a girl with a gunshot wound. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
The man had already left by the time officers got there, the department said. According to initial reports, a glass balcony door at the home was shattered.
Arcadia police did not release the girl’s name. Her identity is being withheld pending notification of relatives, and she has not been publicly identified because she is a minor.
Sheriff’s Department names suspect
The Sheriff’s Department said detectives identified the suspect as Cruz. The department said he forced his way into the Arcadia location and that he was dating the victim.
Those statements are the account of investigators. Cruz has not been charged, and the allegations have not been tested in court.
Suspect shoots himself in Pasadena
Authorities believe Cruz traveled from Arcadia to Pasadena, where the second shooting took place about an hour after the first. The Sheriff’s Department said he shot himself as Pasadena Police Department officers were preparing to contact him.
Pasadena city spokesperson Lisa Derderian said Cruz was found with a self-inflicted gunshot wound near Arroyo Parkway and Glenarm Street at about 12:30 p.m. Thursday. She said he was taken to a hospital.
Another account put the Pasadena shooting at just before 1 p.m. The city’s time of about 12:30 p.m. is the one given by a city official.
Cruz remains in critical condition
Cruz was in critical condition when he was taken to the hospital. The Sheriff’s Department said he was still in critical condition as of about 7 p.m. Thursday.
No court filing or charging document had been made public as of Friday. No other injuries were reported in either city.
Homicide Bureau leads the investigation
Arcadia police said the case is being handled by the Sheriff’s Department Homicide Division. The Sheriff’s Department has described the Arcadia case as an active homicide investigation.
Authorities said the motive remains under investigation.
Domestic violence resources available
The County of Los Angeles lists the LA County Domestic Violence Hotline, 800-978-3600, on its Domestic Violence Awareness Month page, and says the line offers 24/7 support. The same page lists the national hotline at 800-799-7233.
Authorities have not said whether the relationship between Cruz and the girl had involved any earlier reports to law enforcement.
Tips go to Homicide Bureau and Crime Stoppers
Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Department Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500. Anonymous tips can be made to Los Angeles Regional Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477.
Investigation remains active
Detectives continue to investigate the killing, and the girl’s name has not been released. Cruz remained hospitalized in critical condition as of about 7 p.m. Thursday.
Authorities have not announced any charges in connection with the case.
