Police Shoots Transient Who Points Gun on Pier

By Lookout Staff

Police shot and wounded a homeless man on the Santa Monica Pier Saturday afternoon after he pulled what looked like a real handgun on an officer, according to a police department spokesman.

The suspect, identified as Ronald Francis Robbins, 44, was immediately taken into custody and transported to a local hospital, where he was treated for a superficial wound, said Lt. Gary F. Gallinot, the department spokesman. No one else was injured during the incident.

Robbins, who is on parole, was booked for a parole violation and brandishing an imitation firearm. No bail was set.

The incident began at approximately 4:15 p.m. when officers responded to a report of a man with a gun on the pier, Gallinot said. The officers located the suspect on the southeast side of the pier seated alone on a bench facing the ocean.

Two officers approached the suspect, and one officer ordered him to the ground, Gallinot said. The suspect stood up, drew a handgun from his waistband and pointed it directly at the officer, Gallinot said.

The officer, fearing for his safety, fired and struck the suspect one time, Gallinot said. The suspect dropped the handgun and fell to the ground, he said.

Further investigation revealed that the handgun was a replica of a blue steel semi-automatic pistol, Gallinot said.

According to police, the suspect had approached a street performer before the incident, pointed the gun at him and forced him to stay put against his will for approximately one hour.

An additional felony charge will be added for false imprisonment, Gallinot said.