Suspected gunman ID’d in officer ‘ambush’ at upscale Santa Monica mall, Waymo shooting

Police have identified the man accused of opening fire at a police officer at the upscale Santa Monica Place mall Wednesday and shooting at a Waymo in downtown Santa Monica on Sunday, injuring two juvenile passengers.

David John Hairston II, 31, was arrested Wednesday afternoon after he allegedly “ambushed” and shot at a police officer, then fled the scene, prompting a several-hour manhunt, according to the Santa Monica Police Department. Hairston, who is believed to be homeless, is being held in lieu of $1 million and is scheduled to appear in court Friday.

Santa Monica police are recommending multiple felony charges including attempted murder of a peace officer, assault with a deadly weapon, and two counts of attempted murder in connection to the Waymo shooting. His case will be presented to the L.A. County district attorney’s office for filing consideration.

On Wednesday afternoon, chaos unfolded at Santa Monica’s Third Street Promenade after reports of a shooting triggered businesses in the area to shut down and police to warn people in the tourist hot spot to avoid the area.

The incident began about 1 p.m. when an officer attempted to detain an individual at Santa Monica Place who was a suspect in a shooting on Sunday that injured two juveniles in a Waymo self-driving taxi, according to police.

“During the brief pursuit, the suspect ambushed the officer and fired multiple rounds, striking him before fleeing” the Third Street Promenade area on foot, police said.

The search for the gunman lasted hours and involved the collaboration of 12 law enforcement agencies. While the suspect was at large, many businesses in the area closed or went into lockdown, such as the Clayton Children’s Museum inside the mall.

The museum released a statement saying that 112 guests inside sheltered in place and were guided to offices near the back.

“I am incredibly proud of our staff for acting swiftly and calmly under intense circumstances,” said the museum’s chief executive, Thomas Sullivan, in a statement.

Hairston was arrested in Palisades Park at 4:20 p.m. following a tip from a local resident who saw photos of the individual released by police, authorities said. The firearm believed to have been used in the assault was recovered.

“The Santa Monica Police Department is grateful to the vigilant community members who provided critical assistance,” said the department. “We also recognize and thank our officers, dispatchers and support staff whose professionalism, courage, and swift action helped bring this dangerous suspect into custody.”

Police arrested a man suspected of opening fire at an upscale Santa Monica mall Wednesday afternoon.

(KTLA)

The injured officer was taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and was expected to make a full recovery, police said. City Councilmember Lana Negrete told KTLA News that 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 said in a statement. “The officer injured in the earlier stabbing continues to recover. These incidents underscore the risks faced by officers in the line of duty and the continued need for collective commitment to public safety and community partnership.”