Santa Monica, CA – On November 2, 2022, Santa Monica Police officers responded to a suspicious circumstances call at Lot 1 North, a beach parking lot just north of the Pier. A parking attendant had discovered a man motionless in the driver’s seat of a vehicle, appearing to be bleeding. Officers arriving on the scene found the man had suffered fatal injuries from a knife attack, and he was declared deceased by firefighters. Initially identified as a John Doe, the victim was later confirmed to be a resident of Dearborn, Michigan, who had recently purchased the vehicle in Southern California.
Following an extensive forensic investigation, authorities identified Mohamed Abou-Arabi, also of Dearborn, as the suspect. In January 2023, Santa Monica detectives, with assistance from the Dearborn Police Department, located and arrested Abou-Arabi in Michigan. He was charged with first-degree murder with an enhancement for the use of a knife.
After standing trial in September 2024, Abou-Arabi was convicted of first-degree murder. His sentencing is scheduled for December. Abou-Arabi, who has two prior arrests for misdemeanor weapons offenses in Michigan, did not provide a motive during the investigation or trial.
For further information, media inquiries can be directed to Lieutenant Erika Aklufi at Erika.aklufi@santamonica.gov.
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