July 18, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Looting Underway in Santa Monica as National Guard Arrives

Update: 9:45 p.m. – in a 9:27 p.m press release, the City of Santa Monica announced that the United States National Guard is on the ground.

The Santa Monica Fire Department said that there have been four structure fires, four car fires and one dumpster fire, as of 9:46 p.m. No active fires are burning at the time of publishing.

No Santa Monica police officers have been injured as of 9:27 p.m., according to the City.

The City is telling people leaving Santa Monica to head east.

#####

Update 7:12 p.m. – at a 7 p.m. press conference, Mayor Pro Tempore Terry O’Day said “we understand that this peaceful protest was not part of the looting.”

In addition, SMPD Chief Cynthia Renaud said at the press conference that “We are making arrests as we speak.”

#####

George Floyd Protests come to Santa Monica

By Sam Catanzaro

The Third Street Promenade and downtown Santa Monica are currently being looted as police have deployed rubber bullets and smoke bombs while the National Guard has arrived.

At 1:51 p.m. the Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD) tweeted that the public should avoid the downtown and Civic Center area due to the looting that had begun in the area.

At noon a peaceful protest against the police killing of George Floyd began at Montana Avenue and Ocean Avenue. Protestors marched down Ocean Avenue to the Santa Monica Pier.

Protestors then started going east Montana Avenue, breaching a police barricade, a little after 1 p.m.

A little after 1:30 p.m., Fox 11 Los Angeles footage began showing looters at the Third Street Promenade and Santa Monica Place. At the same time, peaceful protestors were seen making their way up Montana Avenue.

Reports say that a Vans, Gap, Nike, REI and Vons stores are among businesses targeted by looters.

According NBC 4, a fire has broken out inside REI.

According to ABC 7, one group of looters escaped in a Mercedes Benz getaway car with Florida plates.

Protestors on Montana Avenue in Santa Monica Sunday. Photo: Sam Catanzaro.

The City of Santa Monica has extended a curfew that will be in place from 4 p.m. Sunday to 5:30 a.m. Monday.

Los Angeles County has also announced that a countywide curfew will go into effect at 6 p.m.

According to the SMPD, all I-10 and PCH off-ramps into Santa Monica are now closed by the California Highway Patrol.

According to Fox 11, the National Guard has arrived in Santa Monica around 4 p.m.

Police have deployed tear gas, smoke bombs and non-lethal bullets at protestors who are throwing objects, including rocks and M-80 firecrackers, at police.

Around 4 p.m. shots were reportedly fired from a vehicle at police at Lincoln Boulevard and Ocean Grant Street. According to the reports, no officers were injured and a suspect is in custody, though one officer was shot in the foot. Two other suspects may remain.

A building on the corner of Santa Monica Boulevard and 4th Street caught fire a little before 5 p.m.

Around 5:15 p.m. a car was shown up in flames around the Santa Monica Civic Center.

At 5:30 p.m., SMPD Chief Cynthia Renaud announced that the Department will begin making arrests for people violating the curfew.

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is also on the scene, along with the Culver City Police Department and the Los Angeles Police Department.

This story is still developing and will be updated as more information becomes available.

in News
<>Related Posts

Man Arrested in Brentwood for Impersonating Firefighter During Palisades Fire

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

The suspect faces at least 28 criminal counts—including 23 felonies—spanning incidents from 2023 to May 2025 Federal and local law...

West Coast Premiere of ‘The Opposite of Love’ Opens at Hudson Backstage Theatre

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

Produced by Neil Gooding Productions, behind shows like Back to the Future: The Musical, the play runs Thursdays through Saturdays at...

Study Highlights Economic Impact of Cap-and-Trade Extension in Los Angeles

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

Governor Gavin Newsom and legislative leaders are pushing to reauthorize the program this year, citing its role in generating 287,000...

Film Review: Superman

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

“This movie is packed with storyline, Superman lore, meaningful objects, and action.” writes Kathryn Whitney Boole Rated PG-13129 MinutesReleased July...

Multiple Drug Arrests Reported in Palisades Park in Recent Weeks

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

SMPD Reported Several of the Arrests Between June 29 and July 5 The Santa Monica Police Department reported several drug-related...

(Video) Did You Know Emma Chamberlain’s Coffee Shop is in Century City?

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

The outpost is a first for the popular influencer Did You Know Emma Chamberlain’s Coffee Shop is in Century City?...

Mayor Bass Hails National Guard Withdrawal as Victory for Unity

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

The Pentagon’s decision to reduce the troop presence follows weeks of legal challenges and public demonstrations Mayor Karen Bass celebrated...

DUI Checkpoints to be Conducted Across LA This Weekend

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The LAPD selects checkpoint sites based on data indicating high incidents of impaired driving-related crashes and arrests The Los Angeles...

SMPD to Conduct Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Operation on Friday

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The focus will be on speeding, illegal turns, failing to yield or provide right of way to cyclists or walkers,...

Dodgers to Host Back to School Bash for Fire-Affected Families

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The free event will offer free groceries, school supplies, outfits, haircuts, medical screenings, and carnival rides The Los Angeles Dodgers...

LA Sees Second Straight Year of Homelessness Decline, Leaders Celebrate Progress

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The survey, designed by the University of Southern California, reported a 17.5% drop—the largest two-year decrease on record The Los...

LAPD Seeks Missing 63-Year-Old Man Known to Frequent Playa Vista

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

His family last heard from him via a group text on June 22 The Los Angeles Police Department’s Missing Persons...

Santa Monica Offers City-Owned Properties for Affordable Housing Development

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

The move aims to address the city’s Regional Housing Need Assessment of 8,895 units, with a goal of producing at...

California Hits Two-Thirds Clean Energy Milestone

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

This year, clean energy has powered the state for an average of seven hours daily, with over 90% of days...

Venice Beach to Host First Medal at 2028 Olympics

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

Venice Beach, known for its vibrant boardwalk, will kick off the 844 ticketed events, hosting the triathlon along its coastline...