Police have identified the guy accused of opening fire on a police officer at the luxury Santa Monica Place mall on Wednesday and shooting at a Waymo in downtown Santa Monica on Sunday, injuring two minor passengers.
David John Hairston II, 31, was captured Wednesday afternoon after reportedly “ambushing” and shooting at a police officer before fleeing the scene, sparking a multi-hour manhunt, according to the Santa Monica Police Department. Hairston, who is reported to be homeless, is being held in lieu of $1 million and is set to appear in court on Friday.
Santa Monica police are considering several criminal charges, including attempted murder of a peace officer, assault with a deadly weapon, and two counts of attempted murder in connection with the Waymo incident. His case will be forwarded to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office for filing consideration.
On Wednesday afternoon, commotion erupted along Santa Monica’s Third Street Promenade after reports of a shooting prompted establishments to close and authorities to caution tourists to avoid the area.
The altercation began around 1 p.m. when an officer attempted to hold a man at Santa Monica Place who was a suspect in a shooting on Sunday that injured two minors in a Waymo self-driving cab, according to police.
“During the brief pursuit, the suspect ambushed the officer and fired multiple rounds, striking him before fleeing” on foot from the Third Street Promenade area, police said.
The search for the gunman lasted many hours and involved the cooperation of 12 law enforcement organizations. While the culprit remained at large, numerous companies in the neighborhood closed or went into lockdown, including the Clayton Children’s Museum inside the mall.
According to the museum’s announcement, 112 people inside were sheltered in place and directed to offices in the back.
“I am incredibly proud of our staff for acting swiftly and calmly under intense circumstances,” said the museum’s CEO, Thomas Sullivan, in a statement.
Hairston was detained at Palisades Park around 4:20 p.m. on a tip from a local resident who saw images of the man provided by police, according to authorities. The firearm thought to have been used in the assault has been retrieved.
“The Santa Monica Police Department is grateful to the vigilant community members who provided critical assistance,” according to the agency. “We also recognize and thank our officers, dispatchers and support staff whose professionalism, courage, and swift action helped bring this dangerous suspect into custody.”
The injured cop was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and is expected to recover completely, according to authorities. According to City Councilmember Lana Negrete, the officer was struck in the hand.
“This marks the second time in eight months that a Santa Monica officer has been seriously injured in the line of duty—first by stabbing, now by gunfire,” the Santa Monica Police Department stated in a statement. “The cop hurt in the earlier stabbing is still recovering. These instances highlight the hazards that officers endure in the line of duty, as well as the ongoing need for a joint commitment to public safety and community collaboration.”