Santa Monica Police Kill Carjacking Suspect in Venice

By Lookout Staff

February 10 -- Santa Monica police officers shot and killed an armed carjacking suspect early Wednesday morning after he allegedly fired a shotgun at police and took them on a pursuit through nearby Venice.

It was the first officer-related shooting involving Santa Monica police in a decade.

At 4:39 a.m., police responded to a report of a burglary and car jacking that reportedly took place at the intersection of 10th and Michigan in the Pico Neighborhood.

According to reports, the suspect acted as a driver in trouble, then jumped out of the vehicle when a motorist stopped to help. He pointed a shotgun at the helpful motorist and drove away in his car. The motorist was not injured.

Nearly 20 minutes later, Santa Monica police said they stopped the vehicle – a black and red Dodge Shadow – in nearby Venice.

The suspect exited the vehicle “with a shotgun” and “shots were fired” at the officers, according to police statement.

The suspect jumped back in the car and led Santa Monica police on a chase, which ended a half-mile later when the suspect crashed the car in the 1300 block of Electric Avenue in Venice.

Police say the suspect then exited the vehicle and again pointed the shotgun at police, who opened fire, killing the suspect.

“Officers gave verbal commands encouraging the suspect to surrender,” police said in a statement. “The suspect refused to comply and again pointed the shotgun at officers, who fired upon him.”

"It took a great deal of courage," said Chief James T. Butts, Jr.. "This person has manifested the intent to kill you, and these officers chased him. That's what you expect of police officers in a free society."

Paramedics declared the suspect – whose identity has not been released -- dead at the scene. No one else was injured in the shooting or alleged car jacking.

News wires contributed to this report