Pasadena Police Arrest Murder Suspect

Pasadena Police arrested a Palmdale man who allegedly shot and killed a local man during an attempted robbery in September, the department announced.

Rashad McCoy, 23, was arrested and booked on murder charges for allegedly gunning down 23-year-old Joseph Jones after trying to rob Jones and his friends near the corner of Howard Street and Mentone Avenue on Sept. 26.

Police said McCoy hid and waited at a nearby yard for Jones after the attempted robbery. When Jones and his friends got close, he emerged and fired several times, hitting Jones in the torso. McCoy then fled in a car.

McCoy is a known gang member, according to police.

Pasadena Police Chief Philip Sanchez met with Jones' family to tell them about the arrest.

"I was pleased to share the news of McCoy’s arrest with the family," Sanchez said in a written statement. "The detectives’ commitment and hard work brought this perpetrator to justice. McCoy’s arrest is the first step on the long road to healing for the family."