January 10, 2022 6:03 PM
On January 8, 2022, officers from the Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD) assigned to patrol the pier drove through Beach Parking Lot 1 North (1550 Pacific Coast Highway). As the officers approached a group of people standing near a pickup truck loaded with vending carts at around 5:30 p.m., one man in the group raised his arms and the officers noticed the black handle of a handgun protruding from the man’s waistband.
SMPD officers contacted the man and safely retrieved the gun from his waistband. They also found a loaded, high capacity (15 rounds) magazine in his front pocket. While SMPD officers were involved in the high-risk act of arresting an armed person, they encountered a large group of vendors trying to intervene on behalf of the armed subject. Despite the mocking and verbally abusive behavior of the sellers towards the officers, SMPD officers were able to successfully arrest and disarm the person. Local officials needed immediate help from other officials to assist in safely leaving the area with the arrested person.
At the station, the officers learned that the man was a teenager (14 years old). The non-serialized semi-automatic handgun (also known as the “ghost gun”) and the magazine with live cartridges were booked as evidence in the property.
The minor was booked for 265400 (a) (2) PC – carrying a loaded firearm and 32310 (a) PC – holding a high-capacity magazine and then transported to the youth hall.
Anyone with information about a criminal offense this person is involved in is strongly advised to contact Detective Spenser at 310-458-8415 or the 24-hour watch commanders at 310-458-8426.
Media contact
Rudy Flores
lieutenant
[email protected]
Categories
safety
Departments
police
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