Written by AARON CASTREJON | CityWatch Editor

SOUTH PASADENA - Two independent investigations into the shooting of a woman August 30 are being conducted by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office and Sheriff’s Department.

John Pope, South Pasadena public information officer, issued a statement Saturday, urging patience as the two independent reviews are underway.

“City leaders said they welcome the two separate, independent investigations ... and caution against preliminary judgements about the incident,” Pope said.

Strangely though, while advising against preliminary judgements about the shooting, city leaders said “We believe our officers acted appropriately under a tragic set of circumstances,” according to South Pasadena City Manager Stephanie DeWolfe.

The incident began around 11:48 am.. Thursday after the landlord of a property in the 1100 block of Fremont Avenue called officers to check the welfare of a woman there who was reportedly experiencing seizures, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Information Bureau.
 
Police arrived and summoned South Pasadena Firefighters to tend to 49-year-old Vanessa Marquez’s medical needs. Seeing that Marquez needed mental health services, a Los Angeles County Mental Health Clinician worked with police for more than 90 minutes to convince Marquez to seek help.
 
Marquez allegedly became uncooperative and armed herself with what appeared to be a handgun, Sheriff’s Information Bureau said.
 
Two officers opened fire on Marquez, striking her at least once in the torso. Marquez was taken to an area hospital and declared dead.

The gun was later determined to be a replica firearm pellet gun.
 
Marquez was identified as a former actress, having appeared on “ER” from 1994 to 1997 as the character Wendy Goldman. She also starred in the 1988 movie “Stand and Deliver” as Ana Delgado, amongst many other roles.
 
Marquez spoke on social media about her health problems, which included seizures and celiac disease, stating she was terminally ill.

“We look forward to hearing the results of the investigation,” DeWolfe said. “In the meantime we are asking the public to be patient and wait until the facts of the case are confirmed before making judgements about the incident.

Written by AARON CASTREJON | CityWatch Editor

LOS ANGELES - Vanessa Marquez, known for her roles on the NBC drama “ER” and for her big screen role in “Stand and Deliver” was identified as the woman who brandished a weapon at police, prompting them to open fire.
 
The incident began around 11:48 am. Thursday after the landlord of a property in the 1100 block of Fremont Avenue called officers to check the welfare of Marquez, 49, who was reportedly experiencing seizures, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Information Bureau.
 
Police arrived and summoned South Pasadena Firefighters to tend to Marquez’s medical needs. Seeing that Marquez needed mental health services, a Los Angeles County Mental Health Clinician worked with police for more than 90 minutes to convince Marquez to seek help.
 
Marquez allegedly became uncooperative and armed herself with what appeared to be a handgun, Sheriff’s Information Bureau said.
 
Two officers opened fire on Marquez, striking her at least once in the torso. Marquez was taken to an area hospital and declared dead.
 
Marquez appeared on “ER” from 1994 to 1997 as the character Wendy Goldman. She also starred in the 1988 movie “Stand and Deliver” as Ana Delgado.
 
Marquez spoke on social media about her health problems, which included seizures and celiac disease, stating she was “terminally ill.”

Written by AARON CASTREJON | CityWatch Editor

SOUTH PASADENA - The 49-year-old woman who confronted South Pasadena officers with a weapon succumbed to her injuries, Sheriff’s Homicide investigators said.

The woman, who has yet to be identified, became combative while South Pasadena officers and a Los Angeles County Mental Health Clinician while attempting to offer her help. The weapon she revealed turned out to be a pellet gun, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Information Bureau.

Police were called to an apartment complex in the 1100 block of Fremont Street to check the welfare of the woman and noticed she was seizing when they arrived, the Sheriff’s Information Bureau said.

South Pasadena Firefighters were called to tend to her medical needs.

“While speaking to her, officers became aware she was possibly suffering from mental health issues, became uncooperative, and appeared to be unable to care for herself,” the Sheriff’s Information Bureau said.

Authorities reportedly spoke to the woman for more than 90 minutes before she armed herself with the replica gun and pointed it at officers, the Sheriff’s Information Bureau said.

No one else was injured in the shooting.