Santa Monica Officer Injured in Mall Shooting; Suspect Arrested

A Santa Monica police officer was injured in a shooting incident near Santa Monica Place mall on June 25, prompting an active manhunt for the suspect. The officer was transported to a hospital with injuries that were later confirmed as not life-threatening. Police described the suspect as a man in his 30s, armed and dangerous, and urged the public to avoid the area and report any sightings without approaching him. The shooting followed a recent targeted incident involving gunfire at a Waymo autonomous rideshare vehicle nearby, with authorities confirming the arrested suspect was connected to both events. Santa Monica Police Department continues to manage the situation with a coordinated search and has scheduled a press conference to provide further updates. The incident highlights ongoing safety challenges in Santa Monica despite California’s strict gun control laws.