The Santa Monica Polioce Department has released a statemewnt and details on Wednesday aprehension of the suspect who shot a police officer in the mall parking lot.

"On Wednesday, June 25, 2025, a Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD) officer was shot while attempting to detain the suspect in a recent downtown shooting that injured two juveniles. The officer sustained serious but non-life-threatening injuries. Following an extensive and coordinated response, the suspect was located and taken into custody later that afternoon.

The initial incident occurred on Sunday, June 22, 2025, at approximately 11:38 p.m. near 2nd Street and Broadway. Two juveniles were seated in an autonomous rideshare vehicle when the suspect approached on foot and opened fire before fleeing the area. The shooting followed a verbal altercation earlier that evening. Both victims sustained non-life-threatening injuries and were transported to a local hospital for treatment.

SMPD detectives immediately launched a comprehensive investigation, reviewing surveillance footage and collecting witness statements. A departmental bulletin was distributed on June 23rd to assist officers in identifying and locating the suspect.

On June 25, at approximately 1:00 p.m., an SMPD officer observed an individual matching the suspect’s description near 2nd Street and Colorado Avenue. As the officer attempted to make contact, the suspect fled on foot. Following a foot pursuit spanning two block, the suspect ambushed the officer and fired multiple rounds, striking him. Responding officers rendered immediate aid, and the injured officer was transported to a local hospital, where he remains in stable condition. We are deeply grateful to the hospital staff for their outstanding care and professionalism.

At approximately 4:20 p.m., officers received a timely tip from a community member who saw someone matching the suspect’s description near Palisades Park. Officers responded immediately and took the suspect into custody following a short foot pursuit. The firearm used in the assault was recovered.

The suspect has been identified as David John Hairston II, 31 years old (DOB: June 18, 1994), who is believed to be homeless. He is currently being held at the Santa Monica Jail. Bail is set at $1,000,000, and his first court appearance is scheduled for June 27.

The case will be presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office for filing consideration. Anticipated charges include, but are not limited to:

· Attempted murder of a peace officer

· Assault with a deadly weapon

· (2) Counts of attempted murder (related to the June 22 incident)

· Firearms violations

The Santa Monica Police Department is grateful to the vigilant community members who provided critical assistance, and to the following law enforcement agencies for their support during this high-risk incident:

· Los Angeles Police Department

· California Highway Patrol

· Beverly Hills Police Department

· El Segundo Police Department

· Hawthorne Police Department

· Torrance Police Department

· Los Angeles District Attorney Bureau of Investigation

· Gardena Police Department

· Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department

· Culver City Police Department

· UCLA Police Department

We also recognize and thank our officers, dispatchers, and support staff whose professionalism, courage, and swift action helped bring this dangerous suspect into custody."

A massive multi-agency man hunt went down on Wednesday afternoon after a Santa Monica police officer was shot and injured while approaching a suspect near Santa Monica Place on Wednesday afternoon. The suspect was wanted in connection for the shootiong of 2 teen Waymo passengers on Sunday night.

The officer, who was reportedly shot in the hand, was taken to the hospital in stable condition. The suspect, who was wanted for the previous shooting, fled the scene prompting the man hunt. He was later apprehended several blocks away in Palisades Park. The suspect is a homeless man who was seen regularly in the area.

The Santa Monica 4th of July Parade RETURNS Friday, July 4, 2024 at 9:30am. The 2025 Santa Monica Parade celebrates the Arts!

The parade kicks off promptly at 9:30am at Pico and Main Street, traveling South on Main Street before turning right onto Marine, ending at Barnard Way. Join us to watch anywhere along the Main Street route as we make our way to Beach Lot 5 South. The official grandstand announcement location will be in front of the Ocean Park Library.



Please note that the entire parade route and some streets leading to it will be closed to vehicle traffic ALL morning long, from 6AM - 12PM. Public parking can be found at lots off Neilson to the West, and please be mindful of residential restrictions to the East. We recommend walking, biking or scooting to watch the parade!



For more info, Click Here.

Find out about more upcoming local events, Click Here for the Event Calendar.

2 passengers in a Waymo were shot at 11:38 Sunday night, according to the Santa Monica Police Department

"Preliminary information indicates the shooting was a targeted and isolated incident that followed a verbal altercation earlier in the evening between the victims and the suspect," police said in a statement. The suspect is still on the loose.

Both shooting victims are currently in stable condition, one was shot in the arm, the other got shot in the torso.

Some news outlets are claiming they are "children" in there headlines, that's bullshit, these news media people are just clickbaiting.

Reports are that the victims are juveniles. Their exact ages and genders weren’t released. A description of the suspecxt has not been released. Waymo is going to coopperate with SMPD to provide the video footage.

Santa Monica kicks off summer with thier annual Summer Soulstice Festival on Main Street – a FREE, car-free celebration that transforms the street into a pedestrian paradise. .

Nothing will stop Palisadians from celebrating our Palisades 4th. This year, we will be hosting the 78th annual Pacific Palisades July 4th Celebration on the six-acre athletic field at Paul Revere Charter Middle School (1450 Allenford Avenue, Los Angeles 90049).



THIS YEAR’S JULY 4TH COMMUNITY EVENT IS INTENDED FOR PERSONS THAT WERE RESIDENTS OF PACIFIC PALISADES AND IMMEDIATELY ADJACENT STREETS ON JANUARY 7th, 2025, AND THEIR DESIGNATED FAMILY AND FRIENDS. THE EVENT IS NOT OPEN TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC because the area residents impacted by the Fire outnumber the capacity of the venue. Capacity permitting, we may open up ticketing to neighboring communities also impacted by the fires. Entry gates will open at 5 PM to pre-issued ticket holders.

For more info, Click Here.

Find out about more upcoming local events, Click Here for the Event Calendar.

Here's some surfing photos from the Ohana Nalu Surf Contest Series Contest 5 - Championships World Ocean Day held on Sunday, June 8, 2025 at Tower 24 in Santa Monica. This set of surf photos was shot by Six12 Media.

These are just a few of the 90+ photos from this contest. If you were out there, you probably got some surfing shots, probably multiple photos, they will be in the complete photo gallery for this day, check them out, the link to the complete gallery is down below.










You can find 90+ more photos from this session, all full size and in high-resolution, in this photo gallery:

Ohana Nalu Surf Contest Photo Gallery

One of the rollerskaters tries to stop a punk rock concert on Venice Beach. This confrontation erupts into a huge brawl leaving 3 with knife wounds and LAPD chasing down the suspect.

From reviewing the footage, the suspect gets nudged by the neaby teens in the mosh pit, while his bike almost tips over. Then he goes and sucker punches one of the innocent teens in the back of the head. He then gets rushed by a lot of people, with one hitting him with a skateboard. He then is seen with a knife in hand rushing after the skater and stabbing him in the back, right in front of a woman holding a little child.

After it is broken up, a total of 4 people, all said to be teens were stabbed. One of the dads was reported to have been swiped in the face by the knife, as well.

Five free Make Music Day outdoor concerts will be held in various parks throughout Santa Monica on Saturday, June 21. Coinciding with the summer solstice, the city will come alive in this global celebration inviting everyone to make and enjoy music together.

Held in over 800 cities and 110 countries, Make Music Day is inspired by France’s Fête de la Musique and brings communities together through the universal language of music.

Santa Monica has been part of this global music-making moment since 2012, supporting neighborhood groups through its Art of Recovery initiative to host community concerts in local parks.

This year’s June 21 Make Music concerts in Santa Monica include:

Concert in Douglas Park – Presented by Santa Monica Northeast Neighbors,10a.m.–12p.m.

Concert at Norman Place and Main Street, within Main Street’s Annual Summer Soulstice Festival – Presented by Ocean Park Association 12-5 p.m.

Concert in Reed Park – Presented by Wilshire Montana Neighborhood Coalition1-5 p.m.

Concert in Colorado Center Park – Presented by Santa Monica Mid City Neighbors 4-8 p.m.

Concert in Palisades Park (between Georgina & San Vicente) – Presented by North of Montana Association 5-8 p.m.

For more info and line up, Click Here

Find out about more upcoming local events, Click Here for the Event Calendar.