California boy, 13, shot dead by stray bullet while playing video games in his bedroom

A 13-year-old California boy who was killed by a stray bullet Saturday night while playing video games in his room has been identified by his family. 

‘Straight A’ freshman Iran Moreno-Balvaneda, from Pasadena, was struck by at least one bullet inexplicably fired into his home on the 900 block of North Raymond Avenue.   

Iran managed to walk to the living room, where he collapsed before his family called police shortly after 6pm on Saturday.

Iran’s two brothers, sister and parents were at home and witnessed how first responders stabilized Iran and took him to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead later.  

Outraged neighbors told ABC News they’re fed up with the surge in shootings in the area due to an ongoing conflict between two rival gangs. 

‘That young man was just at home, doing what he was to supposed to [be doing]. Playing video games, staying out of trouble, staying off the streets,’ said neighbor Stephanie Johnson.  

The incident happened on the 900 block of North Raymond Avenue around 6pm on Saturday 

 Police was called to the scene shortly after 6pm on Saturday and first responders arrived within a minute. Iran’s siblings and parents were at home and witnessed how first responders managed to stabilize Iran and take him to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead later

A bullet pierced the window of Iran’s house. Police said three to five gunshots were fired. It wasn’t clear whether the bullets were unloaded during a drive-by shooting or from gunmen on foot, but police said there was no reason to believe the family was targeted

Five shootings were reported in the last few weeks in the neighborhood where Iran was killed

‘It’s tragic,’ said Pasadena police Chief John Perez during a Sunday morning press conference.

‘I want us all to be aware that we hear words like ”tragedy” and ”senseless”, but that gets old. This needs to stop,’ he added. 

Police said three to five gunshots were fired. It wasn’t clear whether the bullets were unloaded during a drive-by shooting or from gunmen on foot, but police said there was no reason to believe the family was targeted.

Pasadena has been hit with a series of shootings in recent weeks as gun violence is on the rise. 

Five shootings were reported in the last few weeks in the neighborhood where Iran was killed.

Just blocks away from the child’s home, one person was killed and another critically injured October 25.

Another shooting at Robinson Park on October 27, forced children who were playing to seek refuge from errant bullets. One man was left hospitalized with major injuries. 

‘That young man was just at home, doing what he was to supposed to [be doing]. Playing video games, staying out of trouble, staying off the streets,’ neighbor Stephanie Johnson said about Iran’s senseless death 

At a Halloween Party on October 30 on the 800 block of South Raymond Avenue, a shooting also left a 21-year-old woman wounded. 

On the 1000 block of Summit Avenue, two men sustained gunshot injuries on November 9, and just five days later, a 36-year-old woman was shot a little over a mile away. 

The rash of deadly shootings in the Southern California city prompted officials to hold an emergency meeting last month. 

The Pasadena police department was implementing a plan in late October to reduce the number of stray bullets being fired, the Pasadena Star News reported.

The police chief told reporters that the city is home to a handful of gangs, and that cops have seized more than 500 weapons since the start of the pandemic. 

Investigators are now scouring through all available surveillance footage as they continue probing last night’s deadly shooting.   

Residents touched by Iran’s tragic death held a candle-lit vigil on the sidewalk in from of his home, where they placed candles in his honor

 Pasadena has been hit with a series of shootings in recent weeks as gun violence is on the rise

Pasadena is grappling with gun violence that sparked an emergency meeting last month. The police chief said last month that the city is home to a handful of gangs, and that cops have seized more than 500 weapons since the start of the pandemic

 ‘It’s tragic,’ said Pasadena police Chief John Perez during a Sunday morning press conference. ‘I want us all to be aware that we hear words like ”tragedy” and ”senseless”, but that gets old. This needs to stop’

Residents touched by Iran’s tragic death held a  candle-lit vigil on the sidewalk in from of his home, where they placed candles in his honor. 

‘There’s so much going on in our neighborhoods,’ Isabel Banuelos, a resident of the area who has two young kids, told CBS News. ‘I think all parents that are around here, we just wish things would stop.’  

The boy’s loved ones, who police described as a ‘good, hard-working family’ are not doing well as they grapple with the tragedy, Perez said.

Neighbor Jovita Gonzalez lives next door to the family and said she heard the gunshots.

She told the Pasadena Star-News that she saw the teen’s parents waiting for police outside.

The boy’s mom was screaming and crying, she said.

‘Without saying anything, she reached out and held me,’ Gonzalez told the outlet. ‘She was pointing her, at her lung, and screaming: ‘They hurt my boy’ and kept asking if the ambulance was here.’ 

Gonzalez said she’s frustrated with the gunplay plaguing the city.

‘We’re tired of it,’ she said. ‘I can’t even go out front with my dog anymore because I’m afraid I’m to going to get shot.’

The family has set up a GoFundMe account to cover funeral costs currently waiting for verification.  

Police have asked anyone with information about the shooting to come forward and call Pasadena Police at (626) 744-4241.