Homeless Man Arrested for Santa Monica Officer, Teen Shootings

David John Hairston II, a 31-year-old homeless man, was arrested in Santa Monica after a citywide manhunt linked to multiple shootings, including an ambush on a Santa Monica police officer and an earlier incident involving two teenagers in an autonomous rideshare vehicle. The officer, who was in field training at the time, was seriously injured but remains in stable condition following the shooting during a foot pursuit. Hairston was taken into custody without incident after a tip led officers to his location near Palisades Park, and the firearm used in the officer's assault was recovered. He faces charges including attempted murder of a peace officer, assault with a deadly weapon, attempted murder related to the previous shooting, and firearms violations, with bail set at $1,000,000. These violent incidents have heightened anxiety among Santa Monica residents, coinciding with broader concerns about violence and homelessness in the Los Angeles area. Law enforcement and community members continue to address the challenges posed by transient populations amid ongoing public safety efforts.