On Friday, May 8, 2020, at approximately 3:35 p.m., Pasadena Police Department personnel were in the area of Walnut Street and Meridith Avenue when they attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a 2015 Mitsubishi Mirage for a vehicle code violation. Lloyd Nelson Jr., the 47-year-old male driver and solo occupant of the vehicle failed to yield, and a vehicle pursuit ensued. Nelson drove recklessly through city streets, and officers discontinued their direct pursuit while the Pasadena Police helicopter monitored the suspect from above.
Even though Nelson was no longer being actively pursued by ground personnel, he continued to drive in a reckless manner. In response, ground officers once again began to actively pursue the suspect. The pursuit was ended through the use of a pursuit intervention technique (PIT) at Corson Street and Allen Avenue, resulting in the death of the suspect and one officer sustaining a gunshot wound to the leg.
Detectives responded to the scene and immediately commenced an investigation, scouring the area for witnesses and evidence. Preliminarily, the investigation has revealed that the suspect shot at officers immediately at the conclusion of the vehicle pursuit, resulting in the exchange of gunfire and the suspect’s ultimate death. Three firearms were located inside of the vehicle driven by the suspect.
Nelson’s ties to the City of Pasadena and motive also remain unknown. Detectives continue to work around the clock on the investigation.
Anyone with information about this case is encouraged to call Pasadena Police at (626)- 744-4241 or may report information anonymously by calling “Crime Stoppers” by dialing (800) 222-TIPS (8477), using a smartphone by downloading the “P3 Tips” mobile app on Google Play or the Apple App Store or by using the website lacrimestoppers.org.
