‘Wanted gunman ambushes police officer’ near popular California mall
A gunman allegedly wanted for a shooting ‘ambushed’ a police officer with gunfire near an outdoor mall in Santa Monica, California.
The officer recognized the suspect for a shooting earlier in the week that injured two teenagers, and was targeted by the suspect near Santa Monica Place on Wednesday afternoon.
‘After identifying himself as a police officer, a short foot pursuit ensued, where the officer was ambushed,’ said Santa Monica Police Chief Ramon Batista in the evening.
‘The suspect fired multiple rounds at the officer and fled the area on foot.’
The officer suffered a serious but non-life-threatening injury and his colleagues rendered aid. He was taken to a nearby hospital and ‘is in good spirits, and I feel hopeful that he will recover’, Batista said.
The shooting happened near 3rd Street Promenade.
‘The suspect remains at large, and a coordinated search is underway,’ stated the Santa Monica Police Department on X (formerly Twitter) moments after it transpired.
Police released a photo of a suspect wearing an ‘LA’ baseball cap, sunglasses on the hat and earphones around his neck. He is described as black and in his 30s, and was seen in a dark-colored jacket and black pants. The public was urged to call 911 for any sightings.
‘This remains an evolving situation,’ stated the police department.
‘We appreciate the community’s patience and cooperation as we work to ensure the safety of everyone involved.’
The mall was cleared and open to the public, but police have urged avoiding the area around 4th Street and Colorado Avenue in the downtown.
The LA Metro announced that the Santa Monica station was closed and that buses would instead operate.
A heavy police presence was seen across the city amid the manhunt.
Police received a tip reporting a person matching the suspect’s description and arrested a suspect at Palisades Park after a short foot pursuit, about three hours after the shooting.
A handgun was recovered from the park, which is next to the mall.
The suspect’s identity was not immediately released.
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