Attempt Homicide Suspect – IN CUSTODY
July 1, 2024 9:32 AM
Santa Monica, CA – On Monday, June 24, 2024, Santa Monica Police Department officers responded to a call of a male subject assaulting multiple victims on the beach, just north of the pier. The subject, later identified as Jawann Dwayne Garnett of Los Angeles, attacked a 17-year-old girl who was on the sand near Lifeguard Tower 13, striking and strangling her. A 25-year-old female bystander intervened in the attack, suffering injuries when Garnett punched her and bit her ear. Garnett then attacked a female in her 70s who was walking near the waterline, pulling her into the ocean and holding her underwater.
Lifeguards and police officers were on-scene within minutes, interrupting Garnett’s attack and taking him into custody. The juvenile was transported to a local hospital with moderate injuries and later released. The other two victims were treated at the scene by lifeguards and fire department personnel.
On June 26th, 2024, the District Attorney filed the following charges:
Victim 1 (juvenile)
- 664/187(a) PC - attempt murder
- 273(a) PC - felony child abuse
Victim 2 (bystander)
- 245(a)(4) PC - ADW likely to produce GBI
- 220(a)(1) PC - assault with intent to commit rape
Victim 3 (elder)
- 664/187(a) PC - attempt murder
- 207(a) PC – kidnapping
Garnett, who is currently homeless, has a significant criminal history in Los Angeles County, including prior arrests for the following crimes: 220 (a)(1) PC - Assault w/Intent to Commit Rape, 236 PC - False Imprisonment, 245(a)(2) PC - Assault w/Deadly Weapon – Firearm, 273.5(a) PC - Domestic Violence (Felony), 243(e )(1) PC - Domestic Violence (Misdemeanor), 245(a)(1)PC Assault w/Deadly Weapon – Not a Firearm, 483PC Theft, 602(k) PC - Trespassing, 290.011(a)PC - Failing to Register as a Sex Offender
In December 2021, Garnett was arrested by LAPD (Topanga) for 664/287(c)(2)(a) PC - Attempt Oral Copulation through Force, and subsequently charged and convicted for 220(a)(1) PC – Assault w/the Intent to Commit Sexual Assault. Garnett was placed on probation.
Garnett is currently on formal probation for his 220(a)(1) PC conviction and has been arrested for multiple violations of his probation terms and soon after released. Garnett was released on June 6, 2024, on his own recognizance for a probation violation and is scheduled to go to court for the violation on August 5, 2024.
On June 9, 2024, Garnett was arrested by Santa Monica PD for failing to register as a sex offender. While in custody, Garnett was registered as a sex offender in the City of Santa Monica and released with a citation with a promise to appear in court. This was SMPD’s only encounter with Garnett prior to the attack on the beach.
Garnett is being held on $1 million bail.
Anyone with information related to this incident or this individual is encouraged to contact Detective Lucero at Hilda.Lucero@santamonica.gov, Detective Sergeant Goodwin at Chad.Goodwin@santamonica.gov or the Watch Commander 24 hours at 310-458-8427.
Media Contact
Erika Aklufi
Lieutenant
Erika.Aklufi@santamonica.gov
