Retaliation Seen in Ambush Killing

A man was found shot to death in an alley near a Pasadena apartment building, and police Tuesday called it a retaliatory killing.

It appeared that Christopher King, 23, of Pasadena, was ambushed and shot several times shortly after 11 p.m. Monday near East Villa Street and Holliston Avenue, Pasadena police said. King, who had recently been paroled for an unspecified offense, died at a nearby hospital.

Sgt. Paul Gales said police received several calls from residents who heard gunfire. Officers found King lying in an alley. “We are investigating several leads . . . and hope to have a break soon,” Gales said. “There are some suspects that we’re looking at.”

Gales said the slaying did not appear to be gang- or drug-related.