A confrontation in a crowded Santa Monica park on August 22 resulted in a fatal shooting when a man charged at a police officer with a knife. The man, identified as 44-year-old Michael Rodriguez, was shot once by the officer and later pronounced dead at a hospital. The incident occurred in Palisades Park, a popular oceanfront area, around 12:30 p.m.
Officers were initially responding to a report of a man chasing a woman near the Broadway stairs when they encountered Rodriguez. He was unrelated to the initial call but was observed holding a large knife above his head and moving toward an officer and bystanders, according to a critical incident briefing released by the Santa Monica Police Department.
Despite repeated commands from the officer to drop the weapon, Rodriguez continued to advance. The officer retreated as Rodriguez quickened his pace and closed the distance. The officer then fired one round from his firearm, striking Rodriguez in the chest. Bodycam video from a second officer captured Rodriguez falling to the ground with the knife dropping from his hand.
Police immediately called for backup and requested emergency medical services. As officers approached Rodriguez and began to check for additional weapons, they discovered a second knife in his pants pocket. A third knife was found to be sticking out of his backpack. Investigators described the knife Rodriguez was wielding during the confrontation as a large, fixed-blade weapon with a clip-point blade, a protective hand guard, a metal grip, and serrations along part of its spine.
Officers began administering aid to Rodriguez, applying gauze and a chest seal before performing chest compressions. Santa Monica Fire Department personnel later took over medical care and transported him to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead at approximately 1:49 p.m. The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner ruled his death a homicide due to a gunshot wound to the chest.
No officers, bystanders, or other members of the public were injured during the incident. Santa Monica Police Chief Darrick Jacob stated that the release of the bodycam video is an important step in providing a clear account to the community, acknowledging the tragedy of any loss of life.
The Santa Monica Police Department is conducting a criminal investigation into the shooting. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office will separately review the officer’s use of deadly force, while the police department conducts its own internal administrative investigation. Authorities noted that the released video and briefing reflect preliminary evidence and not final conclusions.