On September 19, a man fishing along the Santa Monica beach became the unwitting target of an unprovoked attack. The Santa Monica Police Department responded to a 911 call in the 2000 block of the beach, discovering a 28-year-old West Hollywood resident who had been assaulted from behind. According to the Santa Monica government press release, the victim, whose name has not been released, endured non-life-threatening injuries to his neck and was rushed to the hospital.
The assailant had fled the scene before police arrived, yet thanks to the descriptions provided by the victim and witnesses, a suspect was apprehended shortly after while officers canvassed the area. Identified as 31-year-old Illinois native and currently homeless man John Broeksmit, the suspect's past includes several arrests throughout 2024 for offenses ranging from public intoxication to possession of a weapon on school grounds, and, tampering with a firearm, as detailed by the City of Santa Monica. Broeksmit had most recently been detained for burglary and public intoxication on September 15 by the LAPD, with no prior felony convictions on his record.
The case against Broeksmit quickly escalated when, on September 23rd, the District Attorney's Office charged him with one count of Attempted Murder. Broeksmit is now faced with a $2 million bail and is being held by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, as noted in the official press release.
The incident has prompted authorities to appeal for further information from the public, anyone with insights or knowledge regarding the altercation on September 19 is encouraged to come forward.
