Santa Monica police are investigating a shooting that occurred 5:09 p.m. Saturday on Pico Boulevard at 18th Street that has left a woman working a fundraiser at Wicc Christian Bookstore with non-life-threatening bullet wounds.
SMPD Sgt. Richard Lewis said the woman was taking part in a charity car wash fundraiser at the book store at 1827 Pico Boulevard when an incident happened and she ran out into the middle of the intersection at Pico and 18th, flagging down a car with two occupants.
Immediately after getting inside the car and telling the occupants she needed to quickly leave the area, the gunman emerged from the sidewalk and sprayed multiple rounds at the vehicle, several striking the female victim, Lewis said.
The car with the wounded victim then sped off to safety, stopping at Lincoln and Pico where paramedics responded to treat the woman and transported her to an area hospital, Lewis said.
Lewis said the reason for the shooting was still unknown.
Lewis said a perimeter was set in the area of Pico and 18th immediately following the shooting. He said the gunman was arrested and charged on suspicion of attempted murder approximately 90 minutes after the incident trying to leave the perimeter in a vehicle. He said a handgun was recovered inside the vehicle.
Lewis said the unidentified woman is hospitalized with non-life-threatening wounds and is expected to recover.
No one else was injured.
Wicc Christian Bookstore sells Christian and family-themed books.
Check back at smmirror.com for updates on this shooting.
