TIL CreativesA Santa Monica police officer was injured in a shooting near Santa Monica Place mall, triggering a lockdown and citywide manhunt for an armed suspect still at large
A Santa Monica police officer was injured in a shooting near the busy Santa Monica Place mall on Wednesday afternoon(June 26), prompting a citywide manhunt and sparking fear among shoppers and residents.According to authorities, the incident occurred around 2:30 p.m. PT near the mall鈥檚 parking structure, just off 4th Street and Colorado Avenue, adjacent to the popular Third Street Promenade. The officer was responding to reports of a suspicious individual when gunfire erupted. It remains unclear whether the officer was directly shot or injured during the altercation, but police confirmed the officer was transported to a nearby hospital and is in stable condition.No other injuries have been reported.https://x.com/santamonicapd/status/1937986648501064159?s=46Suspect on the runLive EventsThe Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD) has identified the suspect as a Black male in his 30s, last seen wearing a dark jacket and black pants. He is considered armed and dangerous. A photograph of the suspect, captured via surveillance footage, was posted on social media Wednesday evening. Authorities are urging the public not to approach the suspect if spotted, but instead to call 911 immediately.鈥淭his was an officer-involved shooting. We鈥檙e deploying every tool at our disposal including new technology, to bring this individual to justice,鈥 said Santa Monica Mayor Lana Negrete.Videos circulating online showed dozens of officers in tactical gear surrounding the mall, helicopters overhead, and nearby roads sealed off. The downtown Santa Monica Metro station was also shut down, with shuttle buses dispatched to manage commuter flow.Investigation ongoingThe SMPD is leading the investigation, working in coordination with the Los Angeles County Sheriff鈥檚 Department and other agencies. Surveillance footage and eyewitness accounts are being reviewed, though authorities have yet to comment on a potential motive or whether the officer was specifically targeted.鈥淭his remains an evolving situation,鈥 the department said in a statement, cautioning against speculation.The shooting comes amid heightened public concern around gun violence in the US, particularly in spaces once considered safe, such as shopping centers and transit hubs. Santa Monica Place, an open-air luxury mall, is a high-traffic destination, especially during summer months.Officials continue to ask for the public鈥檚 help while reassuring residents that law enforcement is 鈥渨orking around the clock鈥 to secure the area.(You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel)
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(You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel)Read More News onSanta Monica mall shootingSanta Monica Place mallSocial mediaarmed suspectcitywide manhuntpolice injuredgun violencesanta monica(Catch all the US News, UK News, Canada News, International Breaking News Events, and Latest News Updates on The Economic Times.) Download The Economic Times News App to get Daily International News Updates….moreless
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