SANTA MONICA—On October 27, a 24-year-old man was arrested and charged with assault with a deadly weapon by using his skateboard. The assault took place on the 1300 block of 17th Street.
A witness reported the incident to the Santa Monica Police Department at around 6:33 p.m. Officers arrived to find the victim sitting in a chair inside a nearby convalescent home receiving emergency medical treatment from Santa Monica Fire Department paramedics.
The victim was reportedly bleeding from his head and hands, and appeared to be inebriated. Despite his intoxication, the victim was able to provide a detailed report of the incident and suspect description to investigators.
The suspect, who the victim describes as his “friend,” allegedly hit him on the head for “no reason.” The victim managed to rip the skateboard from his “friend,” at which point the suspect proceeded to flee northward on 17th street.
While authorities reported to the scene, other officers apprehended a suspect matching the victim’s description near 16th Street and Santa Monica Boulevard. The suspect was reportedly found with blood on his hands. He was arrested and bail was set at $30,000.
The victim was transferred to UCLA’s Ronald Reagan Medical Center and currently listed in stable condition.
This is not the first time the Santa Monica Police Department classified a means of transportation as a deadly weapon. In June 2012, Rocky Martin, who was 38, ran a red light on his bicycle and struck a pedestrian. He pled guilty to assault with a deadly weapon and was sentenced to three years of formal felony probation and 30 days of community service.
