Officer, ID, fatally shot by police after stabbing officer in Santa Monica

SANTA MONICA – A man who allegedly stabbed a Santa Monica police officer outside police headquarters was identified Monday, prompting the officer to fatally shoot him.

The Los Angeles County coroner identified the man as Deyaa Abdelhadi Halaibeh, 28.

According to Santa Monica Police Lt. Erika Aklufi, the attack occurred around 5:20 p.m. Saturday in front of police headquarters at 333 Olympic Drive.

The officer was standing at the station’s front door gathering information from a resident about an unrelated call when the suspect confronted him, Aklufi said. The officer told him he had to wait while the officer spoke to the other person.

“Without warning, the individual attacked the officer while pulling a knife from his clothing,” Aklufi said. “The suspect slashed and stabbed the officer. The officer immediately left and armed himself with his service weapon. The suspect followed the officer and continued the knife attack while the wounded officer retreated around the corner of the building where the officer-involved shooting occurred.”

The officer suffered multiple stab wounds and was taken by patrol car to a hospital for emergency treatment, Police Chief Ramon Batista told reporters at the scene.

Officers provided medical aid to Halaibeh until Santa Monica Fire Department paramedics took over and pronounced him dead at the scene, Aklufi said.

The injured officer was treated and eventually released from a hospital.

“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 do everything we can to help him and his family in the hard work of recovery following this attack.”

The shooting was investigated as directed by SMPD and the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.

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