Suspicious Death / Shots Fired Incident
August 29, 2023 3:42 PM
On Sunday August 27, 2023, at about 10:48 pm, dispatch received a call that a subject described as a male, black, about 180lbs, wearing a grey hoodie, white shirt, black pants and with a black backpack fired once into the air with a handgun in the 1700 block of Ocean Ave on the west sidewalk. A spent casing was recovered at the location. The suspect was not involved in any disturbance prior to shooting the round and left southbound prior to officers’ arrival.
On August 28 at 0112 hours, SMPD officers responded to a call of additional shots fired near the 1500 block of Palisades Park. The RP reported that she “saw a male shooting and then shot himself in the face.” Officers located a victim down at the bottom of the Broadway stairs near PCH who was not breathing and with a gunshot wound. The victim matched the clothing and physical description of the shooter from the earlier call on Ocean Ave. Preliminary investigation indicates the two incidents are possibly related.
The Victim/Suspect, who lists an address in Los Angeles, is currently experiencing homelessness.
Anyone with information related to this incident is encouraged to contact Detective Chabot at 310-458-6679, Detective Sergeant Gradle at ryan.gradle@santamonica.gov, or the Watch Commander (24 hours) at 310-458-8427.
Media Contact
Erika Aklufi
Lieutenant
Erika.Aklufi@santamonica.gov