September 19th Attempted Homicide- ARREST
September 25, 2024 12:04 PM
In the afternoon of September 19, 2024, Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD) officers responded to a 911 call of an assault in the 2000 Block of the Beach.
Officers located the victim, a 28-year-old male resident of West Hollywood, who reported being attacked from behind while fishing at the waterline. The strangulation attack was unprovoked, and the victim did not know the suspect. The victim sustained a non-life-threatening injuries to his neck and was transported to a local hospital for treatment. The suspect fled the scene prior to the officers’ arrival.
Utilizing the description provided by the victim and witnesses, officers canvassing the beach located the suspect, later identified as 31-year-old John Broeksmit, and placed him under arrest. Broeksmit, from Illinois, is currently homeless. He has prior arrests in California (all in 2024) for public intoxication, possession of a weapon on school grounds, and tampering with a firearm. He was most recently arrested 9/15/24 by LAPD for burglary and public intoxication. He has no prior felony convictions.
On September 23rd, the District Attorney’s Office charged Broeksmit with one count of Attempted Murder and his bail was set at $2 million. He remains in custody of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
Anyone with information about this incident or suspect is asked to contact Detective Zamfirov at peter.zamfirov@santamonica.gov or the Watch Commander desk 24 hours a day at (310) 458-8427.
Media Contact
Erika Aklufi
Lieutenant
Erika.Aklufi@santamonica.gov
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