On April 20, 2009, Gardena Police officers responded to a possible homicide call at the Patio Inn, 13815 S. Normandie Ave. A homicide victim was discovered inside a room by the cleaning crew. The victim was identified as Joseph Shorty, 42 years old, of Compton, Ca. Evidence inside the room indicated that there was violent struggle that had occurred.
The homicide was investigated by retired Detective Pam Robinson but the investigation stalled because no suspects were identified and after several months with no leads to follow, the case went cold.
In September 2013, Detective Mike Ross and Detective Patrick Goodpaster took a second look at this case. They were able to develop a new lead. Further investigation led them to identifying three individuals. All of these individuals had information regarding a single suspect.
The suspect, Cameron Cole, 26, originally of Compton, Ca, was now living in Nevada. Gardena detectives worked closely with the Inyo County Sheriff’s Department and the California Highway Patrol Bishop Area Office. The CHP patrols the California border near Las Vegas, NV.
After further evidence was secured, an arrest warrant for Coles was issued.
On April 11, 2014, CHP officers located Cole driving on a highway in California near the Nevada border. He was taken into custody and detained. Gardena Police Department Detectives Ross and Goodpaster were contacted and immediately drove to the Inyo County Jail and interviewed Cole.
With their suspect in custody, Cole was transported back to the City of Gardena where he was charged and booked for the 2009 Homicide.
On April 15, 2014, the charge of first degree murder was officially filed at the Los Angeles County Superior Court Southwest Division and bail was set at $1,000,000.
