Shooting near 3rd Street Promenade reignites fears over Santa Monica safety
Shooting reignites fears over Santa Monica safety
A shooting that occurred in broad daylight in Santa Monica has reignited fears about safety in the coastal community.
SANTA MONICA, Calif. - A Santa Monica police officer is recovering after being shot by a suspect believed to be connected to two recent shootings in the city. The incidents have raised safety concerns among residents and city leaders.
What we know:
A Santa Monica police officer was shot and wounded by a suspect on Tuesday afternoon near the busy Third Street Promenade. The suspect, who is believed to be homeless, was recognized by the officer from a prior incident. When the officer approached him, the suspect fled and then opened fire, hitting the officer. After an extensive manhunt, the suspect was apprehended near Palisades Park, and a handgun was recovered.
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Timeline:
The shooting occurred around 1 p.m. when the officer identified the suspect. The suspect fled and shot the officer before escaping. After several hours, the suspect was located and arrested around 4:20 p.m. near Palisades Park.
The backstory:
This marks the second time in eight months that a Santa Monica officer has been seriously injured in the line of duty. In October, another officer was stabbed in an unprovoked attack outside the police station.
What they're saying:
Santa Monica's mayor has addressed residents' concerns, emphasizing that while the incident is alarming, such events can happen anywhere. The mayor reassured the community that the suspect was connected to a previous shooting, which is why the officer approached him.
What's next:
The officer who was shot is recovering from a gunshot wound to the hand at UCLA Medical Center and is expected to make a full recovery. Investigations are ongoing to confirm the suspect's involvement in the earlier shooting that injured two juveniles.
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The Source: Information from the Santa Monica Police Department and previous FOX 11 reports.