Park shooting suspects in custody

GLENDALE — Glendale Police Department officers arrested two men on suspicion of attempted murder in connection with a June 26 drive-by shooting at Brand Park.

Pasadena resident Harutyun Abrahamyan, 21, and Haroutioun Aivazian, 19, of Glendale, were arrested separately at their residences on Thursday afternoon after a 10-day, multi-unit investigation, Glendale Police Officer John Balian said.

A handgun that was recovered is being examined by forensic experts, he added.

"The detectives worked tirelessly along with the gang unit to identify the subjects who were behind the shooting and ended up arresting them," he said. "It was a lot of leg work, a lot of interviewing, a lot of contacting numerous witnesses. With it happening in the park, there were obviously a lot of people around."

The incident took place at about 5 p.m., when witnesses said a man driving a white SUV rolled up near the basketball courts on the east side of the park and, after a brief verbal exchange, fired about five gunshots at a group of men.

"We know there were some words exchanged, but we don't know exactly what was said," Balian said. "And we're not getting much cooperation from either side."

No one was injured in the shooting, but stray bullets struck a Cadillac sedan that was carrying three women and one juvenile passenger.

Detectives are still trying to untangle the circumstances that preceded the shooting, but the department is not getting much help from the victims or the suspects regarding a possible motive, Balian said.

"We're still trying to piece this thing together to find out what their beefs were with each other; who happened to be the intended target; and who these females that were in the middle of it, who ended up getting their vehicle shot," he said.

Abrahamyan and Aivazian have apparent gang ties, Balian said.

After the Brand Park shooting, neighboring residents voiced concerns that the conditions of the facility have turned it into a high-crime area. Residents regularly report seeing drug paraphernalia and other debris strewn throughout the park, and hearing loud music from cars parked in the area.

In response to neighbors' concerns, city officials posted an employee at the entrance to the park from 2 to 10 p.m.

Residents who live near Brand Park expressed relief at the announcement of Thursday's arrest, but still had concerns about the safety of the park.

"The good news is we've got a great police department," said Robert Mulder, whose home borders the park.

"If this were to happen in Los Angeles, nobody would have cared. But the bad news is, we've got a park with a lot of problems."

Neighbors in the area are generating a petition that they plan to submit to the City Council asking for changes in the park, such as the removal of basketball courts, he added.

"We're relieved as neighbors that someone's in custody," he said. "But we know this is just the tip of the iceberg."

Both men are being held at Glendale Jail.