Santa Monica Police Officer Shot, Gunman Captured

Santa Monica Police Officer Shot, Gunman Captured \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ A police officer was shot near Santa Monica’s 3rd Street Promenade Wednesday, prompting a citywide manhunt. The suspect, also linked to a previous shooting, was arrested hours later after a second foot chase. The injured officer is in stable condition, and authorities recovered the suspect’s weapon.

Quick Looks

• Incident location: Officer shot near 3rd Street Promenade after foot pursuit.
• Officer’s condition: Stable at UCLA Medical Center; injured in the hand.
• Suspect captured: Arrested at Idaho and Ocean after citizen tip; linked to prior shooting.

Deep Look

A peaceful afternoon in Santa Monica turned chaotic on Wednesday when a police officer was shot near the city’s popular 3rd Street Promenade, prompting an urgent search that ended with the suspect’s dramatic arrest just hours later. The officer, a younger member of the force, was hospitalized but is now in stable condition after being shot in the hand during an ambush near the Santa Monica Place shopping mall.

The incident began around 1 p.m. when the officer spotted a man believed to be wanted in connection with a previous shooting. The man was near the intersection of 4th Street and Colorado Avenue, just steps from the Promenade’s bustling storefronts and pedestrian traffic. According to Santa Monica Police Chief Ramon Batista, the officer identified himself and attempted to engage the suspect, who immediately fled on foot.

The chase was brief but quickly turned violent. As the officer pursued, the suspect turned and opened fire, striking the officer multiple times before fleeing again on foot. Eyewitness James Heaney, who works nearby, recalled hearing what he initially thought were fireworks. “We heard, I thought close to 10 gunshots,” Heaney said. “Within 30 seconds, there were a half-dozen cops that were coming down the road with their doors open while they were going really fast. So my guess is, they already knew there was a situation in there.”

First responders transported the wounded officer to UCLA Medical Center, where he was treated and stabilized. His identity has not yet been released, though Chief Batista confirmed he is a recent addition to the department. Mayor Lana Negrete later stated the officer sustained injuries to his hand, describing the situation as a sobering reminder of the daily risks law enforcement faces.

In response, law enforcement launched an immediate and expansive manhunt. The Santa Monica Police Department released an image of the suspect across social media platforms, and the search quickly escalated with support from multiple agencies. Air support from AIR7 hovered above, and officers swept neighborhoods near the coastline.

Around 4:20 p.m., a break came when a local resident tipped off authorities after spotting someone matching the suspect’s description near Idaho Avenue and Ocean Avenue—just blocks from the original crime scene. Officers responded quickly, and after a second brief foot chase, they apprehended the man and recovered the firearm used in the shooting.

Chief Batista confirmed that the man in custody is also the prime suspect in another shooting that occurred earlier in the week. In that case, two juveniles were injured while riding in a Waymo autonomous vehicle. The motive remains unclear, but investigators believe the same suspect was involved. Batista added that the man may be homeless, although this detail has not been definitively confirmed.

The arrest ends a tense and violent day in a city known for its calm, beachfront ambiance and high foot traffic from both locals and tourists. The 3rd Street Promenade and surrounding areas were on alert during the manhunt, with businesses locking doors and people urged to remain indoors until the all-clear was given.

This shooting marks the second time in eight months that a Santa Monica police officer has been seriously injured while on duty. The previous incident involved a stabbing, and that officer is still recovering. The repeat violence has heightened awareness within the department and the community, as officials weigh the challenges of policing in a city with increasing foot traffic, mental health crises, and transient populations.

Mayor Negrete and Chief Batista both praised the swift interagency coordination and community involvement that led to the suspect’s capture. Batista especially highlighted the importance of the public’s role, noting that the tip from a citizen was critical in ending the threat without further injury.

As investigations continue into both shootings, the department has asked anyone with additional information or surveillance footage from the area to come forward. Charges against the suspect are expected to be announced soon, and more details about his identity and background may follow.

In the meantime, the city is left processing the incident, grateful that no lives were lost and hopeful for the full recovery of the injured officer. The shooting has also reignited discussions about officer safety, resources for addressing public violence, and the intersections of crime, homelessness, and mental health in modern urban settings.

More on US News