By Jorge Casuso

June 30, 2025 -- A homeless suspect has been charged with attempting to murder a Santa Monica police officer and two juveniles in two separate shooting incidents last week, the LA County District Attorney announced Friday.

David Hairston, 31, was also charged with three counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm upon a peace officer and one count of shooting at an occupied motor vehicle.

If convicted of the charges, Hairston faces a maximum sentence of 104 years to life in state prison, according to the DA's office.

At an arraignment hearing Friday, the defense "declared a doubt as to competency and criminal proceedings were suspended," prosecutors said.

Bail was set at $4 million. A competency hearing has been scheduled for July 14 in the Hollywood Courthouse.

Prosecutors allege that Hairston "committed the attempted murders willfully, deliberately and with premeditation, and that he personally and intentionally discharged a handgun," the DA's office said.

In the first incident -- which took place on Sunday June 22 at around 11:30 p.m. -- Hairston is accused of shooting and injuring two minors, ages 14 and 16, "while they were riding in a Waymo car," prosecutors said.

The vehicle "was stopped at the intersection of 2nd Street and Broadway when Hairston allegedly ran up to the car and shot both victims." The victims sustained non-life-threatening injuries. Hairston fled the scene.

On Wednesday, June 25, Hairston was seen near the Santa Monica Place mall "by a detective who was investigating the June 22 shooting," the DA said.

Officer Lucas Palmeira responded to the scene and "was allegedly shot at multiple times by Hairston as he approached him." The officer was struck once in the hand.

Hairston fled the scene and was arrested some two and a half hours later in nearby Palisades Park after a resident tipped off police, who had released an image of the suspect and launched a massive manhunt that included members of 11 other law enforcement agencies.

“Our hearts go out to Officer Palmeira and the two young victims and their families who were senselessly targeted during these attacks,” District Attorney Hochman said in a statement.

“Violence in our community -- especially against our children and those who risk their lives to protect us -- is unacceptable," Hochman said. "We are committed to holding the suspect accountable.”

The case is being prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Stephen Lonseth of the DA's Crimes Against Police Officers Section and investigated by the Santa Monica Police Department.