SANTA MONICA—At 12:49 p.m. on August 22, the Santa Monica Police Department responded to reports of a domestic violence incident in the 1400 block of Ocean Avenue in Palisades Park. While speaking with a witness, an officer-involved shooting transpired involving a man who not connected to incident. Later that afternoon, Santa Monica Police Chief Darrick Jacob held a press conference addressing the shooting.
The individual charged towards the officers with a knife. He was given multiple orders to drop the weapon but refused and resulted in an officer firing and striking the man.
Paramedics from the Santa Monica Fire Department arrived at the scene and transported the individual to a local hospital where he died at 1:49 p.m.
Chief Jacob described the man as being in his mid-40s. His identity will be released by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office after a formal identification is completed and the next of kin has been notified of his death.
There were no reports of any other injuries during the incident. The investigation is ongoing and will include interviews of witnesses to the shooting as well as a review of footage taken from video cameras in the area and the body cameras worn by officers. Investigators are preserving evidence including a large knife recovered at the scene.
Chief Jacob thanked the SMPD’s fellow law enforcement agencies for their aid in responding to the shooting. He noted that the death of this man would impact his family members and the community. Jacob said he fully supports department members in responding to dangerous situations. Portions of Palisades Park will remain closed as authorities continue their investigation.
By Daniel Diquinzio