By Lookout Staff

January 16, 2025 -- Santa Monica police are asking the public's help finding an armed and dangerous suspect who fatally shot a homeless man in a Downtown alley Wednesday.

The suspect -- Fabian Mendez, a male Hispanic, 6’3” and weighing 280 pounds -- is wanted for shooting a homeless man in his 30s in an alley on the 200 block of Broadway at around 1:30 a.m.

Mendez approached the victim, who was seen arguing with an unidentified female, and "chased him into the middle of the street, shooting (him) in the back," according to police.

Responding officers tried to save the victim, but he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

The victim’s identity has not been released pending notification of his next of kin, said Lt. Erika Aklufi, the Police Department spokesperson.
Mendez was last seen running northbound in the alley on the 200 block of Broadway and "out of sight," Aklufi said.

He has tattoos on his forearms, including one with “Zamora” inked in large letters.

"Mendez is considered armed and dangerous," officials said. "If located, do not approach or engage the suspect. Please call 9-1-1 when safe to do so."

The fatal shooting marked the year's first homicide, after five were committed in Santa Monica last year, four of them over the last four months.

Anyone with information on Wednesday's homicide should contact Det. Reyes (Isaac.Reyes@santamonica.gov) at (310) 458-4852, Detective Sergeant Lozano (Alfonso.Lozano@santamonica.gov) at (310) 458-8774, or the Watch Commander 24 hours a day at (310) 458-8427.