SANTA MONICA—The Santa Monica Police Department arrested and booked Michael Witt, 47, for suspicion of attempted murder on Saturday, August 6. Witt was arrested at around 12 p.m. on Saturday near his Virginia Avenue apartment after threatening several victims with a knife.
Santa Monica Police Department Lieutenant Saul Rodriguez indicated to Canyon News that officers received the first call about Witt at about 9:07 a.m. when neighbors called to report a disturbance in one of the nearby apartments. Authorities spoke with Witt, his roommate and other neighbors and did not find Witt to be a threat to anybody at the time of their arrival.
Officers left the apartment at around 10:50 a.m., but were called back after reports of a potential car jacking. Lt. Rodriguez informed Canyon News that after police left, Witt left his apartment with a knife and began threatening other residents. Lt. Rodriguez confirmed that one of the victims was approached by the suspect who ranted and waved a knife at them and recorded what transpired on video.
Witt also went to the street where he saw a woman sitting in a parked vehicle. The SMPD indicated that Witt approached a woman who was sitting in a parked vehicle on the street with her windows rolled up. He struck the window several times while the woman sat in the vehicle. He was not able to gain access to the car, but was still present in the street when police arrived on the scene.
He was ordered to the ground and later taken into custody, Lt. Rodriguez confirmed with Canyon News. Witt was booked for attempted murder, attempted car jacking, assault with a deadly weapon and making criminal threats.
