Man admits 3 counts of murder, other charges, for 2014 Pasadena shooting rampage

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PASADENA >> A man pleaded guilty to three counts of murder, as well as other charges, for a 2014 assault rifle shooting rampage in Pasadena that left three people dead and two others wounded, authorities said.
John Izeal Smith, 46, of Pasadena is expected to be sentenced to 181 years to life in state prison when he returns to the Los Angeles County Superior Court’s Burbank branch for sentencing on Feb. 1, Los Angeles County District Attorney’s officials said.
Under a negotiated plea arrangement, which took place just over two weeks before Smith’s trial was scheduled to begin, the defendant pleaded guilty to two counts of first-degree murder, one count each of second degree murder, attempted murder and assault with an assault weapon on a police officer in connection with the July 12, 2014, bloodshed in the 1700 block of North Summit Avenue, according to district attorney’s office spokesman Greg Risling.
” Killed were Smith’s ex-girlfriend, 59-year-old Maria Aguiar, with whom he still lived, her 91-year-old father, Luis Aguiar, and 31-year-old Jose Hernandez Iribe, who was shot to death as he rushed toward the gunfire to help Maria Aguiar as she lied wounded in the sidewalk, according to Pasadena police.
Two other neighbors were also shot, but survived their injuries.
Smith barricaded himself inside his home and called police to report the shooting, which police said was carried out with an AK-47-style rifle.
The first arriving officer, John Woo, immediately came under fire, police said. His patrol SUV was riddled with bullets, but he was not struck.
Fellow officers placed an armored vehicle between Woo and the gunman to allow him to escape the line of fire, according to police officials and witnesses.
A police dispatcher ultimately persuaded Smith to surrender to exit the home and surrender to officers.
Smith fired more than 40 7.62x39mm rounds during the shooting spree, Pasadena Police Chief Phillip Sanchez said at the time.
Smith and Maria Aguiar had previously been involved in a dating relationship and were still living together at the time of the shooting, Risling said.
Smith is believed to have become became angry when Maria Aguiar confronted him about allegedly physically assaulting her mother, Pasadena police Lt. Tracey Ibarra said. He retrieved the rifle and began shooting.
Though the special circumstance of multiple murders made Smith potentially eligible for the death penalty, the prosecution did not seek capital punishment in the case, Risling said.
Chief Sanchez commended the work of involved officers.
“I could not be more proud of the team of detectives that committed themselves to this investigation, in particular Sgt. Carolyn Gordon who served as the lead investigator. It is through their efforts and dedication to duty that we achieve these types of outcomes,” Sanchez said in a written statement. “It is also my hope that today’s guilty plea helps to bring solace and closure to the family members that were victimized by suspect Smith on July 12, 2014.”

PHOTO by James Carbone

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