Broad Daylight Shooting Near 3rd Street Promenade Raises Safety Concerns in Santa Monica

In a disturbing incident that unfolded in broad daylight, a Santa Monica police officer was shot near the popular Third Street Promenade on Tuesday afternoon, renewing anxiety about public safety in the area.

According to officials, the officer recognized the suspect—believed to be homeless and linked to a prior shooting—and attempted to make contact around 1 p.m. The man fled the scene and opened fire, striking the officer in the hand. A city-wide manhunt followed, and the suspect was eventually apprehended near Palisades Park around 4:20 p.m. A handgun was recovered during the arrest.

This marks the second serious attack on a Santa Monica police officer in less than a year. Last October, another officer was stabbed in an unprovoked attack outside the police station.

The suspect in Tuesday’s shooting is also believed to be connected to a recent attack that injured two juveniles. Authorities are continuing to investigate the full extent of his involvement in previous violent incidents.

Santa Monica’s mayor responded swiftly to the event, acknowledging residents’ rising concerns. While describing the shooting as alarming, the mayor urged the public not to lose sight of the broader context, stating that isolated violent acts can happen in any city. Still, the high-profile nature of this incident—occurring during a busy afternoon near one of the city’s most trafficked areas—has left many residents shaken.

The injured officer is being treated at UCLA Medical Center and is expected to make a full recovery.

Source: FOX LA