October 28, 2024 -- A homeless fugitive from Florida has been charged in the stabbing this month of a homeless man from Kentucky, police officials said Monday.
Damian Garcia, 23, who like the victim recently arrived in Santa Monica, was charged by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office Wednesday with one felony count of assault with a deadly weapon with great bodily injury.
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Garcia is additionally being held on a fugitive warrant from Florida and will face extradition, officials said. He remains in custody of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
Garcia’s criminal history includes assault with a deadly weapon, burglary to an inhabited dwelling, vehicle theft, armed robbery and resisting arrest with violence, police said.
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On Wednesday, October 16, officers responded to a call at around 7 p.m. reporting a "bleeding man lying on the sidewalk" on the 500 block of Broadway, said Lt. Erika Aklufi, the Police Department spokesperson.
The Santa Monica Fire Department responded and transported the victim to a local area hospital for treatment, where he was in serious, but stable condition.
The victim "was able to provide a general description of the suspect along with a possible first name," Aklufi said.
SMPD Detectives searched for surrounding security camera footage of the incident and asked for the community's help identifying the suspect, who was described as a male, Black, approximately 20 to 25 years old.
He was described as having dreadlocks and "a very distinctive 'FTP' tattoo on his face.
"Through surveillance video and follow-up investigation, SMPD Detectives identified a suspect," Aklufi said.
After the stabbing, police officials issued a statement calling the incident "another unacceptable crime" that "involves the intersection of complex societal issues of homelessness, substance abuse, and dangerous weapons."
"Public safety is our top priority," officials said. "Our officers are committed to addressing the problems by focusing on the root causes of crime in this area and to preemptively thwart any potential future incidents.
"Moreover, our officers will increase their presence, building stronger bonds with the residents and business owners while collaborating with neighboring law enforcement agencies to identify those responsible.
"We are proactive in the effort to prevent further incidents," the statement said.
The incident took place less than two weeks after a homeless man stabbed a Santa Monica police officer with a stolen knife on October 5 before being fatally shot ("Suspect Stabbed Officer With Stolen Knife," October 8, 2024).
Stabbings among the homeless, who carry knives for protection, have become more prevalent in Santa Monica, according to police.
During a seven-day period in August, police made five arrests that involved brandishing knives, according to the Blue Notebook, the Police Department's blog reporting notable crimes.
Police officials blame a dangerous mix of legal knives, illegal drugs and lenient State laws for driving the surge in stabbings ("Why Homeless Knife Attacks Have Increased in Santa Monica," March 16, 2023).
While knives are mainly used for utility purposes and protection, they can become lethal weapons when the person carrying it is mentally ill or under the influence of methamphetamine or both, police officials said.
