Missing Pasadena Grandfather Search Turns Ominous With Grandson's Murder Arrest

PASADENA, CA — The search for a missing Pasadena octanagerian took an ominous turn this week when his grandson, the last known person to see him, was arrested on suspicion of murder in Los Angeles.

Pasadena police Friday were working to determine if the man's grandson Raheem Karriem, 38, is involved in the disappearance of 87-year-old Dawud Karriem. The younger Karriem became a person of interest Wednesday when he was arrested for allegedly shooting and killing a man in downtown Los Angeles. The details of the shooting and the arrest remains sparse.

According to CBS Los Angeles, video evidence allegedly shows Karriem exiting a vehicle and shooting a man on Wright Street in Downtown L.A.

Karriem, 38, was taken into custody by Los Angeles police officers on Wednesday and was being held without bail, the sheriff's department reported.

At the time of Karriem's arrest, Pasadena police were seeking public help in the disappearance of his grandfather.

Family members of the elder Karriem told CBS2 that he was last seen with his grandson, who reportedly told investigators he didn't know where his grandfather was. Pasadena police told Channel 2 that the younger man was considered a "person of interest" in his grandfather's case.

"We're certainly not ruling anything out at this point," Pasadena police Lt. Jesse Carrillo said. "Foul play, disappearance. We just don't know."

Carrillo said Raheem Karriem is a parolee, who had been in and out of jail mostly for financial crimes.

When asked whether money had anything to do with his possible involvement in the grandfather's disappearance, Carrillo said, "Whether finances be a motive, that's something we have to keep the door open to."

Pasadena police urged anyone with information on the elder man's disappearance to call (626) 744-4241.

-- City News Service, photo courtesy of the Pasadena PD