Downtown Santa Monica turned into a late-night crime scene on Saturday when a man was shot to death near the city’s police headquarters, witnesses told reporters. The shooting at 4th Street and Olympic Boulevard shut down the busy intersection overnight while investigators worked the area.
What Police and Witnesses Reported
According to the Santa Monica Daily Press, officers closed the intersection at about 11:15 p.m. Saturday after social media posts and witness accounts reported shots fired. Witnesses told the paper that two cars appeared to be involved in some kind of incident, and that multiple police vehicles responded to the scene. The roadway reopened at about 4:30 a.m. while detectives continued to investigate. The outlet also reported that Santa Monica police have not released further details.
Where It Happened
The location at 4th and Olympic sits roughly a block from Santa Monica City Hall, and next to the Santa Monica Police Department’s Public Safety Facility at 333 Olympic Drive, the city’s website indicates. That stretch feeds a freeway onramp and is often congested as vehicles leave the city, which can complicate emergency access and response.
A Fraught Corner
The area around Santa Monica police headquarters has seen violence before. In October 2024, an officer was stabbed outside the station, and the suspect was shot and killed, as reported by Fox 11. That episode prompted internal and county reviews and underscored the sensitivity around use-of-force incidents near police facilities.
Investigation and Next Steps
Police are investigating whether the late-night shooting grew out of a road-rage confrontation and said they are working to identify and arrest a suspect, the Santa Monica Daily Press reported. The City of Santa Monica asks anyone with information or video to contact the City of Santa Monica at 310-458-8427. For non-emergency tips, residents can call 310-458-8491.
The investigation remains active, and authorities have not released the victim’s name. Detectives are collecting witness statements and video, and anyone with material that could help the probe is urged to contact the department.
