Update – The Santa Monica Police Department has provided an update on the officer-involved shooting in front of the police station. SMPD has identified the suspect as Deyaa Abdelhadi Halaibeh who is a resident of New York State.

SMPD says Halaibeh has no criminal history in California and no prior contact with SMPD. Halaibeh is also a suspect in a robbery at the Target at 420 Broadway minutes before the attack on the officer.

Around 5:16 p.m., an SMPD Downtown Services Unit officer was flagged down by a security member at the store.

The employee was pushed to the ground and a box of kitchen knives was taken by the suspect who fled. SMPD says the box was later found abandoned with one knife missing. The 8” chef’s knife was allegedly used in the attack on the officer.

Following the shooting, Deyaa Abdelhadi Halaibeh died at the scene.

Original – The Santa Monica Police Department says one of its officers was injured on Saturday evening in an unprovoked knife attack. According to SMPD, an officer was attacked around 5:21 p.m. on October 5, 2024.

The officer was on foot at the front of the police station where he was collecting information from a resident about an unrelated incident. The officer was confronted by a man in his 30s at the front doors.

SMPD says the officer informed the man that he needed to wait until he finished speaking to the other party. The individual reportedly attacked the officer while pulling a knife from his clothing.

The suspect slashed and stabbed the officer. SMPD says its officer moved away and pulled out his duty weapon. Authorities say the suspect followed the officer and continued the knife attack.

The wounded officer retreated around the corner and an officer-involved shooting occurred. Medical aid was provided to the suspect who died at the scene. No other details are available at this time.