SANTA MONICA—On December 1, the Santa Monica Police Department provided information about a November 29 call of a suicidal man with a gun in the 2500 block of Kansas Avenue.
The individual was reportedly having a mental health crisis during the first call at approximately 12:29 p.m. The apartment complex was evacuated and streets in the region were closed. Officers returned to the area following a second call at 2:37 p.m.
“The 911 caller advised that the subject was armed with a handgun and forced entry into an apartment. The subject then robbed the residents at gunpoint and prevented them from leaving. When officers arrived on [the] scene, they located the subject barricaded in the same apartment and armed with a handgun. The subject pointed the handgun at officers and an officer-involved shooting occurred. The subject remained in the apartment and refused to exit,” the SMPD stated.
“On December 1, 2022, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office filed multiple felony charges on the subject, including robbery, burglary, false imprisonment, brandishing a weapon, and assault on police officers.”
The case is still under investigation by the SMPD.
At approximately 3:15 p.m., Crisis Negotiation Team (CNT) officers convinced the subject to peacefully surrender without further incident. At some point during the call, the subject sustained a non-life-threatening injury to his face and was transported to a local hospital before being booked. The subject’s weapon was located at the scene.
“Police activity in area 2500blk of Kansas. Please avoid the area until further notice is provided. There is no active threat to the community or students @SantaMonica schools,” the SMPD tweeted.
On November 29, SMPD Lieutenant Rudy Flores indicated the suspect, “fired a round or two.” Lt. Flores reported that officers recovered the gun and that no one had been hurt in the incident.
Canyon News reached out to the SMPD to discuss if the suspect was taken to an area hospital or to jail but did not hear back before print.
