PASADENA, Calif. — The city of Pasadena is offering a $30,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest following a fatal shooting of a 13-year-old boy.

Iran Moreno Balvaneda was shot in his home on Nov. 20 on the 900 block of North Raymond Avenue.

His aunt Senaida Hernandez, who lives behind the boy's house, was home the night of the shooting.

"I saw him alive and there was hope he was going to live and that nothing was going to happen," she said.

Now strangers are stopping by a growing memorial to pay their respects, including Pasadena resident Julieta Aragon. When she heard what happened to Iran, her 13-year-old son played video games next to a window.

"When we lose a child in our community we, all mothers, we all lose a child in our community," Aragon said.

Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo said there has been a significant spike in gun violence. He attributes much of that to gangs.

"In the calendar year 2020 we had about 60 shootings in the city and this year we have 70 and counting unfortunately," he said.

Gordo also blames pandemic pressures for the spike in violence, and part of his plan is to provide mental health services and more activities for youth to deter gang involvement. However, he will increase patrols in the most affected neighborhoods in the short term.

"There's no question that gang members are emboldened and we need to communicate to them very directly and in some instances forcefully that behavior like this and outcomes like this are simply unacceptable," he said.

Aragon is a member of Pasadenans Organizing for Progress and thinks more policing will mean more racial profiling of Black and Brown residents and doesn't address the support services many need. 

"Policing is not, for me, it's not the answer. We need another approach," she said.

Hernandez and her family want justice for Iran. They ask that anyone with information come forward. She also is thankful to the community for honoring her new angel.

Anyone with information can call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477 or provide information online. Calls are anonymous.

A GoFundMe page has been set up for Iran's family to pay for funeral expenses.

CORRECTION: This story misidentified the name of Pasadenans Organizing for Progress, which resident Julieta Aragon is a member. The story has been updated. (Dec. 3, 2021)