Santa Monica police officers shot and killed an unidentified individual on Saturday, August 22, 2026, after the person charged at them with a knife in Palisades Park near the 1400 block of Ocean Avenue. The incident occurred at approximately 12:49 p.m., and officers reported that the suspect’s actions left them with no alternative but to use lethal force.
Officers had been dispatched to the park in response to a domestic‑violence call. While on the scene, they were interviewing witnesses when the armed individual suddenly approached the police line, brandishing a knife and moving aggressively toward the officers. According to the department, the suspect’s rapid advance and the presence of a weapon prompted the officers to fire, striking the individual fatally.
The Santa Monica Police Department confirmed that the shooting was investigated under standard procedures. Detectives are reviewing body‑camera footage and statements from the officers and nearby witnesses to determine whether the use of force was justified. No additional injuries were reported, and the area was secured while investigators completed their initial assessment.
Palisades Park, a coastal green space that runs along Ocean Avenue, is a popular location for locals and visitors. The domestic‑violence call that brought police to the site was unrelated to the later confrontation, according to preliminary information. Authorities have not released further details about the victim’s identity or any possible motive beyond the reported knife attack. The investigation remains ongoing, and the department will release more information as it becomes available.