Mickey Cooper murder: Suspect charged in killing of brother of Lakers legend in Pasadena
PASADENA, Calif. - Criminal charges have been filed against a suspect accused in the fatal shooting of Mickey Cooper, the younger brother of former Los Angeles Lakers star Michael Cooper.
The suspect, 24-year-old Aaron Miguel Conell, was charged with one count each of murder, attempted murder, and assault with a semiautomatic firearm, with allegations on all counts, authorities announced during a press conference Wednesday.
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Mickey Cooper was found in Pasadena's Washington Park at 4 a.m. Saturday suffering from gunshot wounds. He died at the scene.
The victim's brother, Michael, was a defensive stalwart during the Lakers' "Showtime" championship era in the 1980s. After his playing career ended, he had various coaching positions, including as coach of the Los Angeles Sparks, guiding them to two WNBA titles. He is now the boys' basketball coach at Culver City High School.
The ex-Laker said his brother was killed in a park where they grew up playing together. He also disclosed his brother struggled with drug addiction for several years.
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"The reason is that my brother was there was because it was a safe haven for him…and it had been up until that tragic night," Michael Cooper said.
"My brother had an addiction he just couldn’t shake. Over the past year, we tried to get him help," he said.
He thanked Pasadena police for their work on the case.
"I like to feel he is in a better place," Cooper said.
Authorities said Conell was charged with a misdemeanor in the past and has no gang ties. So far there is no indication Conell and Cooper knew each other. The motive remains under investigation.
Conell is also charged with one count of attempted murder involving an alleged attack early Oct. 29 on a man who was shot in the neck at Washington Park, and one count of assault with a semiautomatic firearm for allegedly walking up to a car and pointing a gun at a man seated in the driver's seat at a gas station in Pasadena just before 9:30 p.m. Nov. 5, according to the District Attorney's Office.
Conell is being held on $4 million bail. He is scheduled to be arraigned Nov. 27.
Aaron Miguel Conell has been charged with the murder of Mickey Cooper
If convicted on all counts, Conell faces more than 50 years to life in state prison if convicted on all counts, according to the District Attorney's Office.
Anyone with information about the killing was asked to call the Pasadena Police Department at 626-744-4241. Callers who wish to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 800- 222-8477 or tips can be sent to lacrimestoppers.org.
City News Service contributed to this report.