A tense sidewalk confrontation near the Third Street Promenade ended with a man in custody after he allegedly pulled out a baseball bat, shouted threats, and allowed his dog to chase and bite a pedestrian in downtown Santa Monica. The victim suffered a minor thigh wound, was treated at the scene, and did not require hospitalization. Officers detained the suspect a short distance away while animal control took custody of the dog.
What police say
Officers responded at about 5:20 p.m. on Sunday to reports of an assault with a deadly weapon at Third Street and Broadway. Police said the driver, later identified as Tar Nay, stopped in traffic, displayed a baseball bat, got out of his vehicle and chased one of the pedestrians while his male cane corso chased and bit the victim on the thigh. Santa Monica Animal Control took the dog into custody, and officers detained Nay a short distance away on Fourth Street. He was booked into the Santa Monica Jail on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon and criminal threats, according to MyNewsLA.
Promenade setting
The incident unfolded in the heart of the Third Street Promenade, a busy shopping and dining corridor that the city recently paired with a weekend "Entertainment Zone" intended to boost downtown activity. The city says the program increases foot traffic and requires coordination between police, private security and businesses to manage crowds and safety, per Santa Monica.
Video and possible motive
A bystander posted video of the confrontation to Instagram and described the attackers as "an antisemitic pro‑Palestinian individual," a claim that has circulated on social platforms as detectives review footage. Police said detectives collected multiple witness statements and video evidence from the area while investigators probe motive and whether the criminal threats will be investigated as a possible hate crime. Police also told reporters the case has been submitted to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office for filing consideration, according to MyNewsLA.
What happens next
SMPD detectives will continue reviewing footage and witness accounts as they work with the county prosecutor's office to decide whether formal charges will be filed. Anyone with information or video is asked to contact the Santa Monica Police Department; the city's press materials list the Watch Commander at 310‑458‑8427 for tips and inquiries, per Santa Monica.
