An Alhambra man is on life support after getting into a fight with his roommate during a birthday celebration in Old Pasadena, and the suspect is in custody, police said today.
Joseph Rafael, 31, was found unresponsive on the sidewalk in the 100 block of South Raymond Avenue at 1 a.m. Saturday morning, Pasadena police said. It was later determined he had sustained significant head trauma.
His roommate, Giorgio Bustamante, 30, also of Alhambra, was later arrested and booked for attempted murder at the Pasadena Police Department Jail, police said. He is being held on $1 million bail.
The two men were at a birthday party when they had a disagreement that became physical, Pasadena police Lt. Art Chute told the Pasadena Star-News.
No weapons were recovered, and it was unclear whether Rafael was injured during the altercation, or by hitting his head on the pavement as he fell.
Bustamante made no attempt to flee, and was still at the scene when police arrived, Chute told the Star-News.
Police are asking anyone with more details about what happened to call Pasadena detectives at (626) 744-4511 or the department’s non-emergency number at (626) 744-4241. Tips can also be given anonymously at crimstoppers.com,