Santa Monica police officer released from hospital after knife attack

SANTA MONICA, Calif. (KABC) — A Santa Monica police officer was released from a hospital Sunday after he was stabbed multiple times in an unprovoked attack.

“We are pleased to announce that our officer has been released from the hospital and is now home and focusing on recovery,” Santa Monica police said Sunday afternoon. “We are all grateful for his commitment to protecting our community and will continue to do so. We are doing everything we can to help him and his family in the hard work of recovery from this attack.”

NOTE: The video above is from a previous report.

The incident occurred outside police headquarters on Olympic Drive around 5:20 p.m. Saturday.

Santa Monica Police Chief Ramon Batista said the officer was outside the station getting information from a resident about an ongoing case. He said that’s when the suspect, described only as a man in his 30s, suddenly interrupted the conversation.

“At that moment, the man attacked the officer unexpectedly and without warning,” Batista said. “[He] He pulled a large knife from his clothing, attacked and stabbed
the officer.”

He said the officer then drew his gun and walked around the corner of the building. The suspect then followed him and “continued the attack.”

“There was an officer-involved shooting in that area, on the side of the building,” Batista said.

According to the police chief, the suspect died at the scene.

“In Santa Monica, we take pride in keeping our city safe,” Batista said. “Unfortunately, a number of very serious events have occurred in our city since this summer. However, our officers will continue to be on site every day ensuring the public safety of our residents.”

The Santa Monica Police Department is conducting an internal investigation to ensure policies and procedures were followed in the officer-involved shooting. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office will also investigate this incident.