A police officer in Santa Monica who shot and killed a man over the weekend after the suspect allegedly stabbed him has been released from the hospital and is recovering, officials announced Sunday.
The violent, unprovoked Oct. 5 attack unfolded at around 5:20 p.m. outside the Santa Monica Police Department, located at 333 Olympic Drive, according to a news release from the department.
The suspect, only identified as a man in his 30’s, approached the officer, who has yet to be named, while he was speaking to another person.
Authorities said the officer asked the man to wait his turn when the suspect suddenly brandished a large knife he’d pulled from his clothing and “slashed and stabbed the officer.”
As he retreated, the officer drew his weapon while the suspect reportedly followed him around the corner, where officer opened fire, fatally wounding the man, officials said.
The suspect was later declared dead at the scene.
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A suspect was shot and killed after he allegedly stabbed a Santa Monica officer outside a police station on Oct. 5, 2024. (KTLA) -
A suspect was shot and killed after he allegedly stabbed a Santa Monica officer outside a police station on Oct. 5, 2024. (KTLA) -
A suspect was shot and killed after he allegedly stabbed a Santa Monica officer outside a police station on Oct. 5, 2024. (KTLA) -
A suspect was shot and killed after he allegedly stabbed a Santa Monica officer outside a police station on Oct. 5, 2024. (KTLA)
Paramedics rushed the officer to the hospital for treatment of his injuries, though no information was provided on just how serious his condition was.
“I can’t tell you enough how disappointed I am to see that this attack, unprovoked, occurred on our streets,” said Santa Monica police chief Ramon Batista at a Saturday night press conference. “In Santa Monica, we pride ourselves on keeping our streets safe. Unfortunately, we’ve had a very serious series of events that have occurred in our city since this summer. Nonetheless, our officers are going to continue the work of going out there and providing public safety to our residents.”
In a post to X, formerly Twitter, on Sunday, officials with Santa Monica PD said the officer had been released home where he is focusing on recovery.
“We are grateful for his dedication to protecting our community and will do everything we can to help him and his family though the hard work of recovering from this attack,” the post read.
An internal investigation into the incident will be conducted by the Santa Monica Police Department and the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.
Anyone with information on the case or the suspect is asked to call the Watch Commander at 310-458-8427.