SANTA MONICA—On Sunday, June 22, the Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD) responded to a call reporting shots fired. Two teens were injured while traveling in a Waymo self-driving vehicle. Both young people were shot. One was shot in the torso. The other was shot in the arm. They are both reportedly in stable condition at an area hospital.
Reports indicate that the suspects and the victims in the shooting had a verbal altercation nearby. The suspects then approached the vehicle on foot and fired multiple rounds at the victims before fleeing the scene.
California Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass have reported that the No Kings protests were predominantly peaceful except for a few “agitators”.
The WAYMO company discontinued service in downtown Los Angeles and some other areas including Santa Monica after their cars were targeted and burned at No Kings Protests, and in the Anti-Ice Protests-Riots before that. Reports indicate that close to 1,500 WAYMO cars have been vandalized this year.
The self-driving vehicles are fitted with approximately 29 cameras. WAYMO is built for the safety of those traveling inside the vehicle. There is no protection against vandals and gunfire. WAYMO has issued a statement relaying that they have agreed to share the camera’s video footage to help identify the perpetrators so they may be brought to justice.
This case is still under investigation. Anyone with more information on the shooting is encouraged to call the SMPD Watch Commander at 310-458-8427.
By Sharon