Officers arrested suspect near Santa Monica High School
Santa Monica police responded to a 911 call around noon Monday from the Hilton Santa Monica at 4th Street and Civic Center Drive, where a suspect was threatening hotel staff with a hammer, according to an SMPD news release on social media.
The suspect fled the scene and headed toward 4th Street Breezeway near Santa Monica High School. Although the suspect did not enter school grounds, no students were nearby during the incident.
Despite repeated requests from officers, the suspect refused to drop the hammer and continued to make threats. Officers deployed a taser and 40mm projectiles and were able to arrest the suspect without further incident.
The Santa Monica Fire Department evaluated the suspect at the scene and transported him to a local hospital for further evaluation, per fire department policy. Charges of assault with a deadly weapon are pending.
Santa Monica Police continue to be in contact with the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District. Officials confirmed that the gate to Santa Monica High School remains locked during school hours.
