EspañolSanta Monica Police Involved in Deadly Shooting of Man Allegedly Armed With Knife Near 1400 Ocean Avenue
SANTA MONICA, CALIFORNIA (August 23, 2026) – A man has died in a Santa Monica police shooting, following some type of domestic disturbance report near the 1400 block of Ocean Avenue.
Santa Monica police officials are saying that the incident occurred on Saturday. Law enforcement arrived at the home after getting a report of domestic violence. When police arrived at the scene, they encountered a man who was not connected to the domestic violence call that they received.
That person allegedly did not comply with officer commands to drop the knife. He allegedly continued moving towards officers before one of them discharged their firearm and struck him.
Police officers began initiating emergency care and paramedics were called to the scene. The individual who was shot was taken to a local area hospital in critical condition.
Unfortunately, he was pronounced deceased at the hospital. A full investigation into the circumstances leading up to the incident remains ongoing at this time.
Liability for Santa Monica Police Shootings
Police officers have a legal obligation to use the least amount of force necessary for any given encounter. Any instance of deadly force by police will be evaluated under the Fourth Amendment. In particular, the Supreme Court explained that the use of force must be objectively reasonable, given the circumstances that were confronting officers. California Penal Code section 835a sets forth additional stipulations. Deadly force should only be used when an officer believes it is reasonably necessary to address an imminent threat of death or serious harm. Courts will take into consideration numerous factors when considering whether or not any instance of force was excessive.
- Immediate Threat: Perhaps the most important consideration is whether or not the threat facing officers was immediate and therefore required a swift response.
- Distance: The physical distance between the officers involved and the suspect should also be taken into consideration. This can help establish whether or not any person poses an immediate threat.
- Alternatives: Another important consideration is whether or not there were feasible alternatives available to officers aside from deadly force.
- Training: The training and policy guidelines related to force for any police department should also be considered.
There are specific safety rules related to dealing with any person who may be in the midst of a mental health crisis. If a police officer failed to follow safety rules related to mentally ill suspects, this could be construed as negligence. Consider, for example, Adams v. City of Fremont (1998). Authorities received a call about an individual who was allegedly armed and emotionally disturbed. He was later shot and killed by a responding officer. In that case, a jury found the police officer negligent by escalating the encounter.
Evidence and Accountability After a Santa Monica Police Shooting
Injuries and deaths during police encounters remain a major public health concern. Many of the people hurt during these encounters were struggling deeply. According to the Public Policy Institute of California, “More than four in ten people treated for non-fatal gunshot wounds from a police encounter were diagnosed with a mental health condition, an alcohol- or substance-related disorder, or both.” It is important that certain actions be taken after any deadly police encounter.
- All of the footage captured by police body cameras should be carefully reviewed.
- Training materials that officers used can also be very helpful. These should be sought.
- Independent witness accounts can help provide perspective on the circumstances leading up to the encounter.
- The family of any person who died in a police encounter should consider their legal options for wrongful death and civil rights claims.
Obtaining meaningful accountability after any police shooting requires that evidence is properly preserved and accounted for. After any police shooting, the police department involved will conduct an investigation. But this investigation will nearly always exonerate the officers involved. It is unsurprising that police departments will rarely find that their officers did anything wrong. This is why an independent investigation can be so important. When law enforcement agencies use excessive force and kill someone, they can be held legally responsible through a constitutional claim.
Investigating Santa Monica Police Shootings
We at the Carrillo Law Firm extend our deepest condolences to the family of the person who was killed in this Santa Monica police shooting. Any person who may have more information about what took place should reach out to investigators. The number of serious police incidents across Los Angeles County in recent years remains deeply concerning. There needs to be greater oversight and more accountability.
Have you or loved ones been injured due to the excessive force of police officers in Santa Monica? There are a number of laws designed to protect your rights. Our team of civil rights attorneys is here to help you. We are committed to helping victims get the support and justice that they are entitled to. Whether you just have legal questions or need any other type of assistance, we are here to support you. You can reach out to us anytime at 626-799-9375.
