LOS ANGELES – The Santa Monica Police Department identified a man suspected in two separate shootings: “ambushing” a police officer and injuring two teens in a Waymo self-driving car.
The department named David John Hairston II, 31, as the suspect in the shootings in a June 26 press release.
Police said Hairston is believed to be homeless and is being held on $1 million dollars bail. He has an initial court appearance on June 27, according to the department. It is unclear if he has legal representation as of Thursday evening.
The department said in the release that it will present the case to the Los Angeles County District Attorney and that it anticipates charges including attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon and firearms violations.
The shooting happened around 1 p.m. PT June 25 in downtown Santa Monica when the unnamed officer approached the man he believed to be the suspect in a June 22 shooting involving a Waymo vehicle, according to the Santa Monica Police Department. That shooting left two teenagers injured, the Santa Monica Daily Press and ABC News reported.
The officer suffered non-life-threatening injuries and is in stable condition, according to police. Santa Monica Mayor Lana Negrete told KTLA that the officer was struck in the hand.
The shooting prompted a multi-hour search, police said, that caused some businesses to close or lockdown – according to the Los Angeles Times.
Police said that Hairston was arrested at Palisades Park, just north of where the shooting happened, at around 4:20 p.m. PT. Police credited a “timely tip from a resident” in aiding in the arrest.
