A police officer was “ambushed” Wednesday after approaching a suspect believed to be wanted in a separate shooting in Santa Monica, California, authorities said.
The incident occurred Wednesday afternoon near Santa Monica Place, an outdoor shopping mall in Los Angeles County, police said.
An officer recognized the alleged shooter from a wanted bulletin for a shooting incident that occurred earlier this week that injured two teenagers, the Santa Monica Police Department said.
“After identifying himself as a police officer, a short foot pursuit ensued, where the officer was ambushed,” Santa Monica Police Chief Ramon Batista said at a press briefing Wednesday evening. “The suspect fired multiple rounds at the officer and fled the area on foot.”
Law enforcement officials respond to a shooting in Santa Monica, Calif., on June 25, 2025.
KABC
Amid a manhunt, police released a photo of the suspect while asking anyone who recognizes or sees him to immediately call 911.
Police received a tip from someone who reported a person matching the suspect’s description, Batista said. Following a short foot pursuit, the suspect was arrested in the area approximately three hours after the shooting incident, the chief said.
Officers recovered the handgun believed to have been used in the shooting near the suspect, according to Batista.
The officer sustained a serious but non-life-threatening injury in the shooting, Batista said. Fellow officers “quickly rendered aid” and transported him to a local hospital, where he is in stable condition, according to the chief.
“He is in good spirits, and I feel hopeful that he will recover,” Batista said.
The Santa Monica Police Department released a photo of a suspect sought in a shooting near Santa Monica Place on June 25, 2025.
Santa Monica Police Department
Police have not released the name of the suspect.
He is believed to be connected to the shooting of two teens in a Waymo autonomous taxi in Santa Monica on Sunday, police said.
“We are almost 100% accurate in believing that it’s the same individual,” Batista said.
The teens suffered non-life-threatening injuries in the shooting, which occurred following an argument, police said.
Law enforcement officials respond to a shooting in Santa Monica, Calif., on June 25, 2025.
KABC
Wednesday’s shooting drew a large police response near Santa Monica Place, which is located in downtown Santa Monica near the 3rd Street Promenade.
“We are fortunate that within a short amount of time, we were able to apprehend the individual and he is no longer on the street,” Santa Monica Mayor Lana Negrete said at the briefing.
