A court appearance on Monday, September 9, will determine when Christopher Wiggan, accused of killing a Monrovia father of six, will face a preliminary hearing on murder charges.
Wiggan, 42, is scheduled to appear in Department H of the Pasadena Courthouse at 8:30 a.m. set a date for his preliminary hearing. He is charged with one count of murder in case 24PDCF00313 for the June 2 shooting death of Nicolas Gandara outside the victim's Monrovia home.
Prosecutors allege Wiggan shot Gandara, 38, in the neck after the victim attempted to calm an argument between Wiggan and a neighbor. The incident occurred around 9:22 p.m. on the 700 block of West Duarte Road.
Wiggan, described by investigators as a local transient, fled the scene but was located and arrested the following afternoon (June 3, 2024) when he returned to the area. He has pleaded not guilty to the murder charge, which includes a special allegation of using a firearm. Wiggan is currently being held without bail.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department is investigating the case. If convicted, Wiggan faces a possible life sentence without parole.
Gandara, who worked two jobs as a social media manager and truck driver to support his family, leaves behind a wife of 14 years and six children, including a two-month-old daughter. He was the sole provider for his family.
The case has raised community concerns about safety and homelessness in the area. Gandara's wife expressed her desire for the "homeless problem" to be addressed, stating that "People should be able to feel safe." Authorities urge anyone with information to contact the Sheriff's Department.
will Monrovia address its homeless issue? unusable parks and when cops are called, they disperse and walk the streets of Monrovia until they find more trouble to get into, including violent crimes on our community members. totally ridiculous!
ReplyDeleteChris has a daughter 11 years old with me we were together for 14 years. Chris was a truck driver as well, I hate how these articles only focus on the negative about Chris. He's a person who matters to people as well. He's not monster, he says he didn't do this! I was not there just because someone is homeless does not mean there trash. He has a family who loves him to. Definitely more than just a homeless loser like this makes him out to be. Yes I feel HORRIBLE about this situation I'm so sad for the family who lost there dad and husband. I lost my husband to our daughter lost her dad if he is kept in jail. God bless
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