Police Uncover Booby-Trapped Garage After Shots Fired in Santa Monica

Santa Monica Police officers responded to reports of shots fired at a residence on the 3300 block of Exposition Boulevard on Sunday, November 17, 2024, around 5:50 PM. A neighbor reported hearing gunfire along with a male voice threatening violence from the garage.

Upon arrival, officers found two elderly women inside the residence unharmed. Arthur Hideki Tabuchi, 61, was also found safe inside the property. During their search, officers discovered a shotgun shell mounted on a workbench in the garage, rigged with a spring-loaded firing pin attached to the garage door. The setup was designed to discharge the shell when the door was opened.

A second, similarly rigged shell was found near a pedestrian gate on the north side of the house. This device had been modified to act as a sound diversion and had been recently discharged, likely prompting the initial report of shots fired.

The LA County Bomb Squad was called to clear the property, ensuring no additional traps were present. The garage shell was safely dismantled, and a search warrant revealed more unlawfully obtained ammunition.

Tabuchi was transported to a hospital for a mental health evaluation. The District Attorney's office will file felony charges related to maintaining a booby trap under California Penal Code 20110.

Detectives encourage anyone with information regarding the incident to contact Detective McCoy at james.mccoy@santamonica.gov, Sergeant Cooney at shaun.cooney@santamonica.gov, or the Watch Commander at 310-458-8427, available 24/7.