Santa Monica Officer Stabbed Multiple Times, Suspect Shot Dead in Incident
SANTA MONICA, Calif – A Santa Monica police officer was stabbed multiple times in an unprovoked attack outside the Santa Monica Police Station on Saturday evening, authorities said. The incident occurred around 5:21 p.m. as the officer was gathering information from a resident about an ongoing case.
Santa Monica Police Chief Ramon Batista, during a news conference, stated that a man in his 30s suddenly interrupted the officer’s conversation and launched an unexpected attack. The suspect pulled a large knife from his clothing and repeatedly stabbed the officer.
The officer, though seriously injured, managed to draw his weapon and move around the corner of the building. The suspect followed and continued his assault, at which point an officer-involved shooting took place. The suspect was pronounced dead at the scene.
The injured officer, who has served with the department for under 10 years, was rushed to a nearby hospital with serious injuries. Despite the severity of his wounds, the officer is in stable condition and expected to recover.
Chief Batista expressed disappointment over the unprovoked attack, emphasizing the department’s commitment to public safety despite a recent rise in serious incidents in the city.
An internal investigation will be conducted by the Santa Monica Police Department to review the officer-involved shooting, and the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office will also investigate the incident. Authorities are asking anyone with information to contact the Santa Monica PD Watch Commander at 310-458-8427.
