Just after midnight Monday, a parking lot beside the Santa Monica Pier shifted from late-night hangout to active crime scene when a man was shot and killed, according to police. Officers flooded the area around 12:30 a.m., taping off the lot as detectives began their work while early beachgoers and pier visitors watched from behind the cordon.
Officers with the Santa Monica Police Department found the victim in a lot adjacent to the pier, and video from the scene showed multiple evidence markers dotting the pavement, ABC7 Los Angeles reported. Investigators have not yet said what led up to the deadly gunfire. The victim was only described as an adult man, and the shooter remained at large as of Monday morning.
Earlier Incidents at the Pier
This is not the first time gunfire has rattled the pier this year. In March, a large fight broke out on the wooden planks, ending in a shooting that wounded two people and led to the arrest of an 18-year-old, according to the Los Angeles Times. In that earlier chaos, tourists bolted for cover as visitors scattered and portions of the pier briefly closed.
Investigation Under Way
By daylight Monday, detectives were still canvassing the parking lot, collecting evidence and looking for witnesses while they worked to piece together a motive and identify a suspect, according to ABC7 Los Angeles. Officials have kept a tight lid on further details while the investigation remains active.
Anyone with information or video footage from the area is urged to contact the Santa Monica Police Department. The department lists a non‑emergency line at (310) 458‑8491 and a 24‑hour watch commander at (310) 458‑8427. Authorities say they plan to release more information as it becomes available.
