Police said the man approached officers during an unrelated domestic violence investigation and ignored repeated commands to drop a knife.
SANTA MONICA, CA — A Santa Monica police officer fatally shot a man Saturday afternoon after authorities said he advanced toward officers with a knife in Palisades Park while they were investigating an unrelated report of domestic violence.
The shooting occurred shortly before 1 p.m. Aug. 22 near the 1400 block of Ocean Avenue, a heavily visited stretch of the coastal park overlooking Santa Monica Bay. Police said the man had no connection to the domestic violence call that brought officers to the area. His identity had not been released as of Sunday, and investigators had not determined why he approached the officers.
Santa Monica Police Chief Darrick Jacob said officers were speaking with witnesses when the man, described as being in his mid-40s, approached while carrying a knife. According to Jacob, officers repeatedly ordered him to drop the weapon, but he continued moving toward them. One officer then fired, striking the man. Police have not released the name of the officer.
Officers immediately began emergency medical care before Santa Monica Fire Department personnel took over treatment, authorities said. The man was taken to a hospital and was pronounced dead at about 1:49 p.m. Police said no officers or members of the public were injured in the encounter and there was no continuing threat to the public.
A knife was recovered at the scene and taken as evidence. Jacob said during a briefing that he had not personally examined the weapon but had been told it was large. Police have not publicly said whether the man spoke to officers before the shooting or provided a more detailed account of what happened in the seconds leading up to the officer opening fire.
The shooting occurred in Palisades Park, which runs along Ocean Avenue above the beach and attracts residents and tourists throughout the year. Several areas around the scene were closed while investigators collected evidence and interviewed people who were nearby. Witnesses interviewed by local news organizations described hearing a gunshot and then seeing officers provide medical assistance to the wounded man.
Jacob said investigators were examining body-worn camera recordings, surveillance footage from nearby businesses and accounts from witnesses. Those materials could provide additional information about the man’s movements, the officers’ commands and the sequence of events before the shooting. Police have not announced conclusions about whether the officer’s use of force complied with department policy.
Authorities also have not established a motive for the man’s actions. Jacob said there were indications the man may have been transient but said investigators did not have enough information to characterize his mental state. Police have not released evidence establishing why he approached officers or whether he had any prior interaction with them.
The man’s name is expected to be released after authorities formally confirm his identity and notify his next of kin. The Santa Monica Police Department said the shooting remains under investigation and that additional information will be released as it becomes available.
Author note: Last updated August 23, 2026.