UPDATE: October 16th Stabbing Suspect ARRESTED
October 28, 2024 2:26 PM
On 10/16/24 at about 7pm, SMPD Officers responded to the 500 block of Broadway for a call of a bleeding man lying on the sidewalk. (Original Press Release)
Upon their arrival, officers discovered the victim of a stabbing. The homeless victim, who is a recent arrival to Santa Monica from Kentucky, was able to provide a general description of the suspect along with a possible first name. Through surveillance video and follow-up investigation, SMPD Detectives identified a suspect.
On 10/23/24, 23-year-old Damian Garcia was located and arrested for the assault. Garcia is also homeless and new to Santa Monica from Florida. At Garcia’s arraignment on October 25th, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office filed one felony count of 245(a)(1) PC (Assault with a Deadly Weapon with Great Bodily Injury). Garcia is additionally being held on a fugitive warrant from Florida and will face extradition. He remains in custody of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
Garcia’s criminal history includes Assault with a Deadly Weapon, Burglary to an Inhabited Dwelling, Vehicle Theft, Armed Robbery, and Resisting Arrest with Violence.
Anyone with additional information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact Det. Ben Jenkins at (310) 458-4884, Sgt. Chad Goodwin at (310) 458-8931, or the Watch Commander desk 24 hours a day at (310) 458-8427.
Media Contact
Erika Aklufi
Lieutenant
Erika.Aklufi@santamonica.gov
