Crime & Safety

Suspect Released Without Charge in Shooting Case Involving Altadena Man

Vernon Woods, 24, of Chino who was arrested in a shooting case involving an Altadena man has been released from Pasadena Police Department custody after he claimed self-defense in the shooting.

A has been released from custody without charge, according to Lt. Tracy Ibarra of the Pasadena Police Department.

The shooting occured in the 800 block of Summit Avenue early Saturday morning after a dispute involving a young woman, according to Ibarra.

Vernon Woods, 24, of Chino was then arrested Saturday night by department detectives.

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Woods confessed to shooting 20-year-old Altadena resident Deontrae Lutton, but claims that the shooting was in self defense, Ibarra said. Woods said Lutton threatened to kill him and charged him, she added.

The County District Attorney's Office declined to press charges when presented with the case by detectives because of that claim, she added.

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Ibarra said she is confident the department will eventually be able to charge Woods with the shooting: the D.A's office has indicated that eyewitness testimony from Lutton might be enough for them to proceed with charging Woods.

However, Lutton is in a medically-induced coma and doctors do not know when he will wake up.  Lutton took a bullet to the brain and doctors have told detective he could have problems with communication and memory, Ibarra said.

There is one other witness to the shooting besides Lutton and Woods: the young female who was the subject of the dispute.  She corroborates Woods' story, Ibarra said.

Woods does not have any past criminal record, she added.


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