Deadly Confrontation: Santa Monica Police Release Video of Officer Stabbing and Fatal Shooting

 Santa Monica Police Release Video Detailing Violent Attack on Officer

The Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD) has released a Critical Incident Video documenting the October 5, 2024, attack on an officer and subsequent officer-involved shooting. The video provides a comprehensive overview of the events that unfolded in front of the department's headquarters, showcasing the dangerous split-second decisions officers face.

Key Events Leading to the Attack

The incident began at approximately 5:07 PM when the suspect, later identified as Deyaa Abdelhadi Halaibeh, entered a Target store on Broadway and stole a set of kitchen knives after assaulting an employee. Surveillance footage shows the suspect fleeing the scene with one knife concealed under his jacket.

Minutes later, Halaibeh arrived at the Santa Monica Police Station, where he summoned an officer by ringing the call button. Body-worn camera footage captured the officer’s attempt to de-escalate the situation before being violently attacked with the stolen 8-inch knife. Despite the officer’s efforts to evade, he was stabbed multiple times in the neck and shoulder before using his firearm to neutralize the threat.

Aftermath and Investigation

Responding officers and Santa Monica Harbor Guards provided immediate medical aid, but the suspect succumbed to his injuries. The wounded officer was rushed to a trauma center for treatment of severe injuries, and forensic evidence later revealed the extent of the attack, including damage to the officer’s protective vest from additional knife strikes.

Investigations are ongoing, with two parallel reviews underway:

1. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office is conducting an independent review to assess the legality of the officer’s use of deadly force.
2. The SMPD’s Internal Affairs Division is performing a thorough administrative review to ensure departmental policies and procedures were followed.

Authorities are also examining the suspect’s background, including his mental health history and potential motives for targeting law enforcement.

Transparency and Community Engagement

The SMPD emphasized the need for transparency, releasing graphic footage and forensic evidence to provide context for the incident. Viewer discretion is strongly advised due to the violent nature of the content.

For more information, contact the SMPD or visit their official website. Updates will be shared as investigations continue. Anyone with additional details about the suspect or the events leading up to the attack is encouraged to reach out to SMPD detectives.

Santa Monica Police Apprehend Suspect in September 6th Fatal Stabbing

SANTA MONICA — A 36-year-old Los Angeles resident, identified as Sebastian Emil Gaston, has been arrested in connection with a homicide that occurred on September 6, 2024. The incident took place in an alley off the 1100 Block of 6th Street, where Santa Monica Police Department’s Homeless Liaison Program officers initially responded to a report of an individual lying on the ground.

Upon arrival, officers discovered a man in his 30s with a fatal stab wound to the upper chest. The Criminal Investigations Division promptly launched an investigation, gathering evidence, reviewing video footage, and interviewing witnesses.

Detectives ultimately identified Gaston, a security guard working at a nearby building, as the suspect. Following the investigation, an arrest warrant was issued, and Gaston was taken into custody at the Santa Monica police station on November 7. During interrogation, Gaston allegedly confessed to both the homicide and a previous assault in July. He is currently held by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department awaiting trial.

Authorities urge anyone with information related to this case to reach out to Detective Kayondo at lawrence.kayondo@santamonica.gov, Sergeant Lozano at alfonso.lozano@santamonica.gov, or the Watch Commander at 310-458-8427, available 24/7.

Santa Monica Police Seek Public's Help in Identifying Potential Victims of Indecent Exposure

Santa Monica, CA (November 14, 2024) – The Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD) is asking for the public's help in identifying potential victims of a man who allegedly exposed himself to children near the Santa Monica Pier.

According to SMPD, on September 18th, 2024, 46-year-old Benjamin Bush of Rosamond, California displayed a nude photograph of himself to three separate 9-year-old victims while outside Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier. Investigators believe there may have been an additional unidentified juvenile victim inside Playland Arcade who also witnessed the inappropriate behavior.

Following an investigation, Bush was arrested on October 29th, 2024, on charges of child annoyance and distributing harmful matter to a minor. While Bush has no prior criminal history, police suspect there may be other incidents involving him.

The SMPD is urging anyone with information about this case or who may have been a victim of similar behavior by Bush to contact Detective Baker (Sean.Baker@santamonica.gov), Detective Sergeant Haro (David.Haro@santamonica.gov), or the Watch Commander at 310-458-8427 (24 hours a day).

Stabbing Suspect Arrested in Santa Monica: Homeless Man Charged with Assault on Fellow Homeless Individual

Santa Monica, CA – On October 23, 2024, Santa Monica Police arrested Damian Garcia, 23, in connection with a stabbing incident that occurred on October 16th. The victim, a recently arrived homeless individual from Kentucky, was found bleeding on the sidewalk at the 500 block of Broadway around 7 p.m. SMPD officers responded promptly to the scene.

Through surveillance video and further investigation, detectives identified Garcia, who is also homeless and recently arrived in Santa Monica from Florida, as the suspect. At his arraignment on October 25th, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office filed one felony charge against Garcia for Assault with a Deadly Weapon with Great Bodily Injury.

Garcia is currently being held in custody by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and faces extradition to Florida for a separate fugitive warrant. His criminal history includes charges of Assault with a Deadly Weapon, Burglary, Vehicle Theft, Armed Robbery, and Resisting Arrest with Violence.

Anyone with information on the case is urged to contact Detective Ben Jenkins at (310) 458-4884 or Sergeant Chad Goodwin at (310) 458-8931.

LAPD Arrest Stolen Cadillac Suspects in Santa Monica Following High-Speed Chase and PIT Maneuver

 

On Tuesday, October 1, 2024, Los Angeles Police officers, with the assistance of an overhead helicopter, pursued suspects in a stolen Cadillac Escalade through multiple neighborhoods, ending the chase in Santa Monica. The incident began in Pacific Palisades, near Sunset Avenue, when officers ran the plates of the SUV and discovered it had been reported stolen.

When police attempted to initiate a traffic stop, the suspects fled, prompting a high-speed pursuit that drew aerial support from an LAPD helicopter. The chase continued through several areas before concluding on Barnard Way in Santa Monica, where officers performed a PIT maneuver, forcing the SUV to a stop. 

Two suspects exited the vehicle and fled on foot into nearby condominiums. Officers, aided by the helicopter, quickly located and arrested the suspects after a brief foot chase.

Following standard protocol, Santa Monica Fire Paramedics were called to the scene due to the collision caused by the PIT maneuver. Both suspects were transported to a hospital for evaluation before being booked.

LAPD noted that the stolen Cadillac is part of a recent string of black SUV thefts linked to home burglaries in the area. The vehicle was towed as part of the ongoing investigation.

Knife Attack at Santa Monica Pier Parking Lot Ends in First-Degree Murder Conviction

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.