Santa Monica Place mall shooter identified? Police reveal key detail amid shooting investigation

A shooting near Santa Monica Place mall, located at the Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica, on Wednesday injured one police officer

Published on: Jun 26, 2025, 04:31:11 IST

By Yash Nitish Bajaj

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A shooting near Santa Monica Place mall, located at the Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica, on Wednesday injured one police officer and triggered a massive police response. The Santa Monica Police Department revealed the first details about the suspect on social media, saying he is at large.

Police in tactical gear gather during a search for a suspect, after a police officer was shot near the Santa Monica Place mall. (REUTERS)

Details of the Santa Monica shooting

The incident occurred around 2:30 PM PT on near Santa Monica Place, an upscale outdoor mall at 4th Street and Colorado Avenue. Gunshots were reported in the vicinity, possibly originating in the mall’s parking structure, leading to an active shooter alert,

One SMPD officer was injured during the response and transported to a local hospital, though it remains unclear whether the officer was shot or injured otherwise. No other injuries were reported, and the mall was evacuated and cleared by police by 2:29 PM PT.

Videos showed a heavy police presence, including a helicopter and officers engaging with the suspect. The downtown Santa Monica train station was closed, with LA Metro arranging bus shuttles.

Suspect description

The SMPD has not released the suspect’s identity, describing him only as a Black male in his 30s, last seen wearing a dark-colored jacket and black pants, and considered 'armed and dangerous'. A photo of the suspect was posted on X, with Santa Monica Police Department urging the public to call 911 if they recognize him or spot someone matching the description, but not to approach.

The suspect fled the scene, and a coordinated search involving multiple agencies is underway, with streets within two blocks of the mall closed. Mayor Lana Negrete confirmed it was an officer-involved shooting, stating, “We’re deploying every tool at our disposal—including new technology,” to apprehend the suspect.

Investigation updates

The SMPD is actively investigating, reviewing surveillance footage and witness statements, but has shared limited details to avoid compromising the search. Social media reports from mall employees, like a Free People salesperson and a Nordstrom shopper, described being locked down during the chaos. However, police have not confirmed the shooting’s motive or whether it was targeted.

The SMPD said, “This remains an evolving situation.”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Yash Nitish Bajaj
Yash Bajaj is a Chief Content Producer with a strong foundation in US coverage, digital strategy, and audience-focused storytelling. As part of the US Desk at Hindustan Times, he covers a wide range of topics - from American politics to sports (NFL, NBA, derbies, MLB and more). Before joining Hindustan Times, Yash served as Deputy News Editor at Times Now, where he oversaw international coverage and led a team of six. In this role, he significantly expanded global traffic through strategic planning, SEO-driven content execution, and meticulous trend tracking across platforms. He is experienced in managing high-pressure breaking-news shifts, coordinating live coverage, and building newsroom systems that improve speed, accuracy, and reach. Prior to Times Now, Yash held a position at Opoyi, where he headed the Sports and US news team. He developed broad editorial strategies, guided reporters across multiple beats, and played a key role in recruiting and training new talent. His responsibilities also extended to social media management and experimenting with innovative content formats. A passionate NFL fan, Yash is a die-hard supporter of the Cincinnati Bengals and has followed Joe Burrow closely since his college days at LSU. Whether breaking down top players' latest performance, analyzing team performances, or tracking roster moves, he brings the same dedication and sharp storytelling to his sports coverage as he does to American politics and breaking news. When he’s not writing, Yash can often be found watching games or debating the latest NFL storylines with fellow fans. Yash holds a Bachelor of Mass Media (Journalism) from HR College, Mumbai University. His interests extend well beyond the newsroom: he is an enthusiastic explorer of AI tools, a movie buff with an ever-growing watchlist, and someone who enjoys unraveling conspiracy theories for fun.Read More

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