Damian Montoya was a 14-year-old passenger shot in the head and killed near North Los Robles Avenue and Eldora Road in Pasadena on January 20, 2022. He was riding in a white Toyota; the driver, a 20-year-old man from West Covina, was also wounded but survived after driving a short distance and encountering Pasadena Fire Department personnel who were already on an unrelated call.

Investigators described the shooting as gang-related. Alexis Ibarra, 25, of Pasadena, was arrested the day after the incident; detectives say they recovered a firearm and other evidence linking him to the attack. He was charged with one count of murder in connection with Damian’s death and one count of attempted murder for the injured driver, with allegations that he personally used a handgun. Ibarra pleaded not guilty and a pretrial hearing was set for January 25, 2024, at the Pasadena Courthouse.

Damian’s family and the Pasadena community have called for stronger action on gang violence following his death. If anyone knew Damian, the white Toyota, or witnessed the shooting near North Los Robles and Eldora on January 20, 2022, please come forward with information.