Body-camera footage has captured a tense incident involving Santa Monica police, where they shot a man who lunged at them with a knife during an unrelated investigation. This occurred on August 22 near the busy Santa Monica Pier.
In the video, two officers are seen talking to witnesses when they suddenly notice a man approaching, brandishing a serrated knife. The officers yell for him to “Put that down!” as they begin to retreat.
As the man advances quickly, escalating the situation, one officer fires a shot, hitting the suspect in the chest, which causes him to drop the knife.
One officer then kicks the knife away from the man before starting CPR.
The man, identified by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner as 44-year-old Michael Rodriguez, subsequently died in the hospital.
Fortunately, neither officers nor bystanders were harmed during the incident. Authorities discovered two more knives on Rodriguez—one on him and another in his backpack.
The knife he was wielding had a sharp, serrated edge, resembling a combat knife.
There’s some uncertainty around the reasons why Rodriguez charged at the police.
Santa Monica Police Chief Darrick Jacob emphasized the necessity of transparency regarding the incident. He stated that when officers respond to calls, they must be prepared for rapidly changing circumstances. He acknowledged the emotional toll such incidents can have on responding personnel, reinforcing the importance of offering a clear account to the community.
Santa Monica Mayor Caroline Torosis commended the officers for their courageous actions and subsequent lifesaving efforts, highlighting the interconnectedness of officers’ safety and that of the community they protect.
Ongoing investigations include a review of the officer-involved shooting by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, alongside internal and criminal inquiries from the Santa Monica Police Department.
