A Southern California police officer shot and killed a man who stabbed and slashed him Saturday night, authorities said.
The officer was talking with a woman about an unrelated matter outside the Santa Monica Police Department headquarters, just steps from the city’s famous pier, when he was attacked, officers said.
A man in his 30s approached the officer and brandished the knife, Santa Monica police said in a Facebook post.
“Without warning, the individual attacked the officer by pulling a knife from his clothing,” the department wrote. “The suspect slashed and stabbed the police officer.”
The officer, who was described by KCBS as being about 35 years old, backed up and went around the corner of a building, pulled out his gun and shot the attacker, police said.
“Santa Monica officers rendered medical aid to the subject until the Santa Monica Fire Department resumed resuscitation efforts,” Santa Monica Police said. “The subject was pronounced dead at the scene.”
The officer was hospitalized with serious injuries, KNBC reported, but is expected to make a full recovery.
The Santa Monica Police Department is internally investigating the incident and the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office will also investigate the police shooting.
With news feed services
